Our 3 main airms were:

1. Describe general food changes and changes in food groups consumed  among a nationally representative cohort of foreign-born adults in the U.S

2. Examine associations between food changes and bodyweight among a nationally representative cohort of foreign-born adults in the U.S.

3. Examine the associations between place of origin, place of current residence and bodyweight among a nationally representative cohort of foreign-born adults in the U.S.

Foreign-born individuals often see a deterioration of health after migrating to the US, particularly an increased prevalence of obesity. A leading explanation for increases in obesity amongst foreign-born individuals over time in the US is acculturation and in extension, changes in diet after migration. The aim of this dissertation was to describe changes in food items and subsequent associations with bodyweight in a nationally representative sample of foreign-born individuals in the U.S. in 2003. The New Immigrant Survey (NIS) is a nationally representative, longitudinal study of foreign-born adults at who gained legal permanent residence (LPR) in 2003.