Recently resettled refugees from the Congo Wars continue to struggle with food insecurity that, in many cases, extends to before their camp and war-time experiences. Beginning in 2016, a team from the University of South Florida has studied dietary adaptation and nutritional status among refugees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Population census data, in-depth interviews with household heads, anthropometric measurements, dietary recalls, and focus groups—with youth and adults—allowed a look at cross-generational experiences of food insecurity and dietary transition within recently resettled refugee families. These experiences are linguistically mediated, involve cultural adaptation, and are embodied through health effects such as stunted growth, leaving both youth and adults at risk of obesity and related health complications. We found that many families are not utilizing available food-assistance benefits such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) because of confusion or difficulty accessing the online system and lack of instructional materials in an appropriate language or format. Refugee service organizations and community-based nonprofits need to be aware of the specific needs of and challenges for these refugees. Public health programming should be framed around refugee-specific needs and be cognizant of refugees’ assets and skills as visual learners to avoid a one-size-fits-all (refugees) approach.

中文翻译：

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刚从刚果战争中重新安置的难民中粮食不安全的经历和影响

最近重新安置的刚果战争难民继续与粮食不安全作斗争，在许多情况下，这种情况延伸到他们的营地和战时经历之前。从 2016 年开始，南佛罗里达大学的一个团队研究了刚果民主共和国难民的饮食适应和营养状况。人口普查数据、对户主的深入访谈、人体测量、饮食回忆以及与青年和成年人的焦点小组——让我们了解最近重新安置的难民家庭中粮食不安全和饮食转变的跨代经历。这些经历以语言为媒介，涉及文化适应，并通过发育迟缓等健康影响体现出来，使青少年和成年人都面临肥胖和相关健康并发症的风险。我们发现许多家庭没有使用可用的食品援助福利，例如补充营养援助计划 (SNAP) 和针对妇女、婴儿和儿童的特殊补充营养计划 (WIC)，原因是混淆或难以访问在线系统以及缺乏指导适当语言或格式的材料。难民服务组织和社区非营利组织需要了解这些难民的具体需求和挑战。公共卫生规划应围绕难民的特定需求制定，并认识到难民作为视觉学习者的资产和技能，以避免一刀切（难民）的方法。