American Journal of Industrial Medicine
Volume 53, Issue 4, 2010, Pages 443-462

Working to eat: Vulnerability, food insecurity, and obesity among migrant and seasonal farmworker families (Article)

Borre K.* , Ertle L. , Graff M.
  • a North Carolina Agromedicine Institute, Southern Coastal Agromedicine Center, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States, Department OfAnthropology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States, Department of Anthropology, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL 60115, United States
  • b North Carolina Agromedicine Institute, Southern Coastal Agromedicine Center, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States, Department of Public Health, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health, Epidemiology, Raleigh, NC, United States
  • c North Carolina Agromedicine Institute, Southern Coastal Agromedicine Center, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States, North Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States

Abstract

Background: Food insecurity and obesity have potential health consequences for migrant and seasonal farm workers (MSFW). Methods: Thirty-six Latino MSFW working in eastern North Carolina whose children attended Migrant Head Start completed interviews, focus groups and home visits. Content analysis, nutrient analysis, and non-parametric statistical analysis produced results. Results: MSFW(63.8%) families were food insecure; of those, 34.7% experienced hunger. 32% of pre-school children were food insecure. Food secure families spent more money on food. Obesity was prevalent in adults and children but the relationship to food insecurity remains unclear. Strategies to reduce risk of foods insecurity were employed by MSFW, but employer and community assistance is needed to reduce their risk. Conclusions: Food insecurity is rooted in the cultural lifestyle of farmwork, poverty, and dependency. MSFW obesity and food insecurity require further study to determine the relationship with migration and working conditions. Networking and social support are important forMSFWfamilies to improve food security. Policies and community/workplace interventions could reduce risk of food insecurity and improve the health of workers. Am. J. Ind. Med. 53:443-462, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Author Keywords

Hunger Food security Farmworker occupational health risk Migrant farmworkers

Index Keywords

information processing Vulnerable Populations vulnerable population psychological aspect human middle aged statistics North Carolina Agriculture obesity Food Supply Seasons family size Hispanic Americans Family Characteristics catering service interview season United States Young Adult Humans Hispanic Adolescent Interviews as Topic male preschool child Socioeconomic Factors Infant Child, Preschool female socioeconomics Article adult migration Transients and Migrants Focus Groups hunger Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-77949868588&doi=10.1002%2fajim.20836&partnerID=40&md5=af44f2f08d2b9451c2827ba4c0bc6744
DOI: 10.1002/ajim.20836
ISSN: 02713586
Cited by: 36
Original Language: English