ObjectiveIn 2012, North Carolina ranked in the top ten for refugee resettlement. Newly arrived youth are understudied, yet experience rapid dietary acculturation. These changes in combination with household food insecurity put them at risk for adverse long term health outcomes. The objective of this study was to examine the nutrition perceptions, interests and needs for newly arrived youth.Outcome Measures and AnalysisFocus groups (n=2) were conducted (with French and Spanish interpretation) with high school students living in the US < 1 year between may and june 2015. countries of origin (n=9) included: Pakistan, Senegal, Niger, Liberia, Somalia, Mexico, Honduras and Rwanda. Notes were handwritten by the principal investigator and a research assistant during focus groups, compared for accuracy, and analyzed using content analysis to identify themes.ResultsStudents reported pre-arrival diets focused on starches, meats, and salads and the addition of new “American” favorites including: pizza, hamburgers, and fried chicken. Students reported their diets to be similar to pre-arrival, with a reduction in physical activity as the greatest change. Physical activity preferences varied between genders. Female students identified concerns with weight gain and interest in weight loss diets. Student’s perception of health focused on maintaining “balance”, the need to be active, limit junk food and soda, and eat fruits and vegetables.Conclusions and ImplicationsResults from this study demonstrate a basic understanding of nutrition, negative dietary acculturation and reductions in physical activity upon arrival. Barriers and promoters for physical activity should be further explored- particularly with evidence of negative diet changes and weight gain concerns.FundingNone ObjectiveIn 2012, North Carolina ranked in the top ten for refugee resettlement. Newly arrived youth are understudied, yet experience rapid dietary acculturation. These changes in combination with household food insecurity put them at risk for adverse long term health outcomes. The objective of this study was to examine the nutrition perceptions, interests and needs for newly arrived youth. In 2012, North Carolina ranked in the top ten for refugee resettlement. Newly arrived youth are understudied, yet experience rapid dietary acculturation. These changes in combination with household food insecurity put them at risk for adverse long term health outcomes. The objective of this study was to examine the nutrition perceptions, interests and needs for newly arrived youth. Outcome Measures and AnalysisFocus groups (n=2) were conducted (with French and Spanish interpretation) with high school students living in the US < 1 year between may and june 2015. countries of origin (n=9) included: Pakistan, Senegal, Niger, Liberia, Somalia, Mexico, Honduras and Rwanda. Notes were handwritten by the principal investigator and a research assistant during focus groups, compared for accuracy, and analyzed using content analysis to identify themes. Focus groups (n=2) were conducted (with French and Spanish interpretation) with high school students living in the US < 1 year between may and june 2015. countries of origin (n=9) included: Pakistan, Senegal, Niger, Liberia, Somalia, Mexico, Honduras and Rwanda. Notes were handwritten by the principal investigator and a research assistant during focus groups, compared for accuracy, and analyzed using content analysis to identify themes. ResultsStudents reported pre-arrival diets focused on starches, meats, and salads and the addition of new “American” favorites including: pizza, hamburgers, and fried chicken. Students reported their diets to be similar to pre-arrival, with a reduction in physical activity as the greatest change. Physical activity preferences varied between genders. Female students identified concerns with weight gain and interest in weight loss diets. Student’s perception of health focused on maintaining “balance”, the need to be active, limit junk food and soda, and eat fruits and vegetables. Students reported pre-arrival diets focused on starches, meats, and salads and the addition of new “American” favorites including: pizza, hamburgers, and fried chicken. Students reported their diets to be similar to pre-arrival, with a reduction in physical activity as the greatest change. Physical activity preferences varied between genders. Female students identified concerns with weight gain and interest in weight loss diets. Student’s perception of health focused on maintaining “balance”, the need to be active, limit junk food and soda, and eat fruits and vegetables. Conclusions and ImplicationsResults from this study demonstrate a basic understanding of nutrition, negative dietary acculturation and reductions in physical activity upon arrival. Barriers and promoters for physical activity should be further explored- particularly with evidence of negative diet changes and weight gain concerns. Results from this study demonstrate a basic understanding of nutrition, negative dietary acculturation and reductions in physical activity upon arrival. Barriers and promoters for physical activity should be further explored- particularly with evidence of negative diet changes and weight gain concerns.