Lifestyle and Food-Related Challenges Refugee Groups Face Upon Resettlement: Do we Have to Move Beyond Job and Language Training Programs?

Abstract

An exploratory qualitative study was conducted to assess lifestyle and food-related changes that refugees experience upon resettlement in the United States. A convenience sample including 18 refugee women and 5 refugees who were physicians prior to resettlement was interviewed. Overall, loss of social network, poor physical activity, and stress related to household expenditures were identified as major issues of resettlement lifestyle. Participants reported increase in intake of meat, soda/fruit drinks, and dairy after moving to the United States. Results also indicated that in contrast to daily, need-based food shopping, participants had to train themselves to do weekly or planned food shopping. In addition to job and language training, resettlement programs should focus on providing skills to adapt to nuances of the host country's infrastructure.

Keywords:

• resettlement
• refugees
• food habits

Notes

This research was supported by the UNCG–New Faculty Grant and Summer Research Excellence Grant. We thank all of the participants who welcomed us every time with a big smile.

To maintain confidentiality and identity of the participants or interviewees, reference information such as dates on which interviews were conducted and initials of the interviewees, has been withheld.