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Migrants in Atlanta

Group 3

Adults and Adolescents in Atlanta Projects

Two studies were carried out in Atlanta: one with adult migrants and the other with adolescent refugees (through the IRC). Both studies focused on health behaviors with connection to obesity, diabetes and chronic illness risk factors. However, the studies each took a different approach. While the study with adult migrants in Atlanta focused on question and answer methods to collect data, the study with adolescent refugees took a qualitative approach by surveying the subjects through photovoice. Photovoice is a method where the subject takes pictures following a prompt given to them, and the photographs are later organized into main themes and analyzed. 

Adults in Atlanta 

The intention of the study was to analyze the migrant vulnerability to chronic disease, diabetes and obesity among adult migrants in DeKalb County, Georgia. After interviewing with 51 candidates, the data collected addressed different areas of lifestyle changes relevant to obesity and diabetes. These areas included: eating patterns, physical activity or inactivity, ideational, social and economic factors, the role of children, and efficacy and empowerment. The study provides suggestions for why migrant’s health generally deteriorates and the longer residence tends to lead to health which increasingly becomes similar to that of a native born.

Adolescents in Atlanta

The purpose of the study was to “advance knowledge about the ways in which youths may face risks of obesity and diabetes after resettling in the U.S.”

 

The study used refugee students in Georgia in order to conduct surveys and photovoice to understand the risks of obesity and diabetes migrant adolescents are faced with in the United States. The study highlighted the effects of the exposure to a new culture, as the subjects discovered new foods and activities they would adopt after migrating. The study also gives insight into the adolescents’ perspective on the eagerness to adapt to American culture through adopting new activities which involved technologies and new foods discovered.

More about

Our Current Projects

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Changing Environments and Chronic Disease among Foreign-born People in the U.S. and Belgium

 Solveig Argeseanu Cunningham, Rebecca Jones, Hadewijch Vandenheede and Crossroads to Health Team 

Supported in part by Fulbright program, Emory Global Field Experience Fund, Emory University Center of Excellence in Maternal and Child Health Education, Science and Practice

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Comparison of Atlanta and Brussels refugee population dietary behavior and weight status

 Solveig Argeseanu Cunningham, Rebecca Jones, Lubaba Tasnim and Crossroads to Health Team 

Supported in part by Fulbright program, Emory Global Field Experience Fund, Emory University Center of Excellence in Maternal and Child Health Education, Science and Practice, and by the Emory Global Field Experience Fund

America through the eyes of a refugee

 Solveig Argeseanu Cunningham, Rebecca Jones, Rabab Al-Araji and Crossroads to Health Team 

Supported by the National Institute Of Diabetes And Digestive And Kidney Diseases of the National Institutes of Health

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Dietary Changes After Arrival Among Refugees

 Solveig Argeseanu Cunningham, Rebecca Jones, and Crossroads to Health Team 

Supported in part by Emory University Center of Excellence in Maternal and Child Health Education, Science and Practice.

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Adoption of New Lifestyles among Refugee Families: Health Implications of Integration 

 Solveig Argeseanu Cunningham, Rebecca Jones, Elizabeth Vaquera Karla Galaviz

and Crossroads to Health Team 

Supported by the World Relief 

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