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.

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.