https://doi.org/10.1177/1043659618761532 Journal of Transcultural Nursing 1–7 © The Author(s) 2018 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.com/journalsPermissions.nav DOI: 10.1177/1043659618761532 journals.sagepub.com/home/tcn Research It is estimated that 82% of the population increase between 2005 and 2050 will be attributable to immigrants and their descendants (Passel & Cohn, 2008). African-born immigrants migrating to the United States, have more than doubled, mak- ing this group one of the fastest growing immigrant popula- tions today (American Immigration Council, 2012). Moreover, it is estimated that the second-generation of immi- grants will also rise, with nearly 50 million children and grandchildren contributing to U.S. population growth through 2050 (Pew Research Center, 2017). These demographic trends suggest that the health status of immigrants and their children may have an impact on the future health of Americans. Beliefs and lifestyle behaviors related to healthy living and diet among middle-aged adults in this population have been explored (Turk, Fapohunda, & Zoucha, 2015), but little is known about beliefs, perceptions, and practices of diet and exercise in young adult offspring of African immigrants. Studies show that foreign-born children who migrate to the United States with their parents often have a lower mor- tality and morbidity rate than those born in the United States (Perreira & Ornelas, 2011), yet this health advantage dimin- ishes over time, often during transition into young adulthood because of a shift in dietary food choices (Gordon-Larsen, Harris, Ward, & Popkin, 2003; Unger et al., 2004). Moreover, this shift in dietary preferences for unhealthy components of the American diet seems to happen faster among children of immigrants than the adult immigrants themselves (Paxton et al., 2016). Lifestyle behaviors among young adults, such as dietary intake of sugar-sweetened beverages or processed meat products, are associated with a greater risk of early ath- erosclerotic cardiovascular disease (Gooding et al., 2017). The culturally authentic food traditions and lifestyles brought to the United States by the parents may ensure that the young adults consume a mixed traditional/native and American diet. Yet as the young adult offspring become more acculturated to the United States, they adopt American diets, which generally include greater amounts of fat, processed meats, snacks, foods high in sugar and fast foods (Delavari, Sønderlund, Swinburn, Mellor, & Renzaho, 2013; Gordon-Larsen et al., 761532TCN XX X 10.1177/1043659618761532Journal of Transcultural NursingJakub et al. research-article 2018 1 Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA 2 Public Health Services, FOB Group, LLC, Monroeville, PA, USA Corresponding Author: Karen E. Jakub, School of Nursing, Duquesne University, 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, USA. Email: jakubk@duq.edu Cultural Beliefs, Perceptions, and Practices of Young Adult Offspring of African Immigrants Regarding Healthy Eating and Activity Karen E. Jakub, PhD, RN 1 , Melanie T. Turk, PhD, RN 1 , Abi Fapohunda, DrPH, MPH, MS 2 , and Rick Zoucha, PhD, PMHCNS-BS, CTN-A, FAAN 1 Abstract Introduction: African immigrants and their offspring are increasing in the United States. Yet little is known about the beliefs, perceptions, and practices of second-generation African immigrants regarding healthy eating and physical activities within the context of culture and environment. Method: Five small group interviews using a focused ethnography qualitative method were conducted with 20 college-age students who were offspring of African immigrants. Data were analyzed using Leininger’s four phases of analysis. Results: Four themes emerged: (1) family, community, and religious ties to traditional African foods; (2) traditional African cuisine as healthy and american foods as nonhealthy; (3) eating patterns vary according to availability and resources; and (4) exercise patterns have familial, peer-driven, and generational influences. Discussion: African food was a connection to family and the African community. Food choices and activities were strongly influenced by accessibility, social structures, and the environment. Dietary and activity-based interventions should include both American and African influences. Keywords healthy diet, physical activity, young adult, second generation, offspring, African