Amarranos Las Tripas: Food Insecurity Among Older Mexican Origin Adults Living in the Colonias of South Texas

Abstract

The voices and experiences of older Mexican-origin adults living in the burgeoning colonias along the Texas-Mexico border are missing from the literature. The objective of this qualitative study is to illuminate how older Mexican-origin adults experience food insecurity, explore the geographical barriers they face, and describe how the family is employed as a survival strategy to cope with food insecurity under conditions of material hardship and structural vulnerability. Through data collected in 14 semi-structured Spanish-language focus group interviews with 95 older Mexican-origin adults from four geographic areas along the border. By centering the voices of older adults, this research contributes to our knowledge on culture, aging, health, and poverty in rural areas, and provides valuable information about the experiences of older Mexican-origin adults who live in rural poverty. Their narratives can inform health and nutrition programs, and policies to better serve this vulnerable and growing population.