Barriers and enablers to engagement in behavioural weight management interventions in underserved women living with and beyond cancer: A scoping review

Objective This scoping review aimed to identify evidence on the barriers and enablers influencing engagement in behavioural weight management interventions among women from underserved communities living with and beyond cancer. Background Managing weight after a cancer diagnosis is complex, but may improve outcomes. However behavioural weight management interventions often fail to reach underserved women with cancer. Inclusion criteria : Sources were included if they reported barriers and/or enablers of, female adults with cancer from ethnic minority and/or lower socioeconomic status backgrounds, engaging in weight management interventions. Methods The Joanna Briggs Institute and PRISMA-ScR guidelines were followed. Database searches conducted in December 2024 were updated in January 2026. Study, participant and intervention characteristics, and engagement barriers and enablers were narratively summarised. Results Twenty-nine studies were identified; most conducted in the United States (n = 26), used qualitative methods (n = 12),engaged African American or Black women (n = 11) and focused on breast cancer (n = 19). Structural, cultural, and contextual barriers to engagement in weight management interventions were identified. Social support, flexible delivery, and culturally-tailored, holistic approaches enabled engagement. Conclusions Research in this area is growing but remains concentrated in specific populations. Future research should co-design strategies to enhance equitable access and sustained engagement, and explore barriers and enablers across more diverse populations.