Refugees of all races and ethnicities arrive in America for the first time and experience food insecurity, oppression, and racism as they begin their new lives. They essentially have to start their lives over with little to begin with. This can lead to unhealthy eating at fast food restaurants due to the cheaper and more accessible meals. Fast food restaurants fry their foods in oils which cause high cholesterol and obesity. Organ diseases can also be the result of the distribution of these unhealthy foods in immigrant communities. Refugees have very high rates of these diseases. Not only do fast food industries ruin the health of Asian immigrants, but low education is also a variable in obesity. High rates of food insecurity are a result of experiences in refugee camps and the transition to new lives in the United States. Asian immigrants, particularly Cambodian immigrants, are among the many racialized groups in the United States who suffer from healthcare deficiencies due to their income insecurity and food oppression. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Cambodian immigrants arrived during the Cambodian civil war and the abuses they endured under the regime of Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge. The Cambodian Civil War took place from 1967 to 1975 and its consequences persist to this day. During the war, people were forced into the brutal life of labor camps. The children were forced to survive without their parents and became slaves working for the Khmer Rouge soldiers. Immigrants and their families fled to Thai camps to seek refuge. On their journey to freedom, the refugees barely had food to survive. Food security was limited, people of all ages were starving and starving. From refugee camps in Thailand, they immigrated primarily to urban neighborhoods in the United States, one of which is Lowell, Massachusetts. These Cambodian immigrants live low-income lives in the small community of Lowell, Massachusetts. Lowell is home to the second largest Cambodian population in the United States. A big challenge Cambodian immigrants face is not knowing the culture and language in America. Lack of nutrition and wellness education contributes to poorer overall health. According to the Greater Lowell Health Alliance, people in the Cambodian community do not understand vaccinations and diseases, as well as diabetes, and do not know how to make healthy choices. Lowell has many fast food chains which include Asian fast food restaurants. Fast food chains such as McDonalds, Burger King and Dunkin Donuts have a strong presence in this small community. Because Lowell is so densely populated with Asian immigrants, the grocery stores are mostly Asian/Cambodian grocery stores that sell not the freshest fruit and meat products. Corner stores are also a great source of food for families living in the community. Affordable and addictive junk food attracts families who can easily walk down the street to get food. Food oppression in Lowell is so heavily present because this community relies on Asian fast food restaurants, corner stores, and small Asian grocery stores that do not have the best products “Food oppression is structural because it is not the product of individual acts of discrimination, but rather arises from the institutionalized practices and policies of government and the fast food industry.” Not only do immigrants rely on fast food, but,.