Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Volume 9, Issue 3, 2007, Pages 157-169

The household food insecurity and health outcomes of U.S. -Mexico border migrant and seasonal farmworkers (Article)

Weigel M.M.* , Armijos R.X. , Hall Y.P. , Ramirez Y. , Orozco R.
  • a Human Immunology and Nutrition Research Laboratory, Department of Health Promotion, University of Texas at El Paso, 1101 North Campbell Street, El Paso, TX 79902-0581, United States
  • b Human Immunology and Nutrition Research Laboratory, Department of Health Promotion, University of Texas at El Paso, 1101 North Campbell Street, El Paso, TX 79902-0581, United States
  • c University of Texas at Houston School of Public Health, El Paso Regional Campus, El Paso, TX, United States
  • d Human Immunology and Nutrition Research Laboratory, Department of Health Promotion, University of Texas at El Paso, 1101 North Campbell Street, El Paso, TX 79902-0581, United States, University of Texas at Houston School of Public Health, El Paso Regional Campus, El Paso, TX, United States, California Department of Health Services, Richmond, CA, United States
  • e California Department of Health Services, Richmond, CA, United States

Abstract

Emerging evidence suggests chronic household food insecurity has an adverse effect on health. This study examined the prevalence, predictors and health outcomes associated with food insecurity in 100 migrant and seasonal farmworker (MSFW) households living on the U.S.-Mexico border. Data were collected using the U.S. Food Security Scale, California Agricultural Worker's Health Survey, and objective anthropometric, clinical and biochemical indicators. Food insecurity affected 82% of households; 49% also had hunger. Household food insecurity was predicted by the presence of minor children in the home and low maternal education. Food insecure households were more likely to have at least one member affected by symptoms of depression (deprimido), nervios (an ethnospecific condition), learning disorders, and symptoms suggestive of gastrointestinal infection. Although not directly associated with food insecurity, adult obesity, central body adiposity, elevated blood pressure, and blood lipid and glucose disturbances were common. These findings highlight the significant food security and health challenges faced by border area MSFW families. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2007.

Author Keywords

Health outcomes Hispanic Obesity U.S. Food Security Scale

Index Keywords

anxiety educational status lifestyle depression lowest income group cholesterol blood level agricultural worker mental health human abdominal obesity middle aged Agriculture priority journal Food Supply feeding behavior health status hypertension obesity Aged Seasons Mexico Hispanic Americans Family Characteristics Cross-Sectional Studies lipid blood level United States migrant worker Humans Adolescent male food availability female prediction risk factor Outcome Assessment (Health Care) Article New Mexico glucose blood level major clinical study adult migration glucose malnutrition nutritional health Transients and Migrants hunger Texas health survey
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-33847770401&doi=10.1007%2fs10903-006-9026-6&partnerID=40&md5=a420b1f4ccc0a1c5956c6e20f39c6222
DOI: 10.1007/s10903-006-9026-6
ISSN: 15571912
Cited by: 98
Original Language: English