Neighborhood Deprivation and Locational Disadvantage for Access to Food Stores and Food Service Places by Hispanic Older Adults in Texas Colonias

Purpose: Hispanic older adults in areas of persistent poverty face environmental challenges to food security, healthful eating, and the prevention and management of nutrition-related health conditions. The purpose of this study was to assess the food environment in targeted colonia census block groups (CBG) in Hidalgo County, Texas, and to examine neighborhood deprivation and locational disadvantage (distance) for access of older adults to food stores (FS) and food service places (FSP).

Methods: Trained observers used direct observation methods (GPS technology and on-site audits) in 197 CBG (772 sq mi area). Neighborhood (CBG-level) deprivation and geographical distribution of older adults were determined from 2000 census. Locational disadvantage was determined through calculations of network distance from CBG centroids to the nearest FS (supermarket/grocery store and convenience store) and FSP (fast food restaurant).

Results: Older adults were 3.3%-74.5% of the CBG population; 46 CBG contained ³20% older adults. Neighborhoods with ³20% older adults had 60.9% residents with no vehicle, 34% lacked complete kitchen, and 37% poverty; 25% of older adults lived in neighborhoods 2.3-9.9 miles to nearest supermarket and 14% >1.3 mile to convenience store. High and very high deprivation neighborhoods were also at high overall locational disadvantage for FS (28% and 24% of CBG, respectively) and FSP (30% and 35% of CBG).

Conclusions: Knowing more about the food environment is essential for combining environmental approaches with traditional health interventions and food assistance programs to make it easier for older adults, especially those in areas of persistent poverty, to make healthier food choices.