Epidemiological studies focusing on Latino immigrant health have found links between acculturation (time and language competency), weight gain, and disease risk. Since time and language competency are not mechanisms by which diets and activities change, associations between acculturation and weight change offer little to public health professionals who aim to develop nutrition and health interventions. We present a conceptual model and use a mixed-methods biocultural approach to address the fine-grained details of diet and activity choice for new arrivals to the USA. The results of our anthropological work with Liberian and Somali Bantu refugees indicate that, in addition to standard surveys (individual-level characteristics, socioeconomic status, employment, and acculturation), epidemiological research would benefit from the data generated from ethnography and more nuanced behavioral studies. A focus on the lived experiences of new Americans and the explicit examination of institutional support, peer support, and interactions between children and caretakers might offer points of intervention for immigrant health which is a growing public health concern. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2008.

Migration Anthropology Immigrant Children Biocultural diet Health Liberia nutrition Acculturation Somali Bantu Refugee Africa

immigrant refugee energy metabolism caloric intake human epidemiology Refugees middle aged statistics and numerical data controlled study priority journal Food Supply diet Aged ethnology African American catering service United States Young Adult social status migrant conceptual framework Energy Intake Adolescent Humans male Emigrants and Immigrants Acculturation female ethnography cultural factor Liberia Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice theoretical model peer group Article Models, Theoretical nutrition adult Nutrition Surveys Somalia Motor Activity normal human nutritional status employment attitude to health African Americans weight gain