Life course influences on food provisioning among low-income, Mexican-born mothers with young children at risk of food insecurity.
BACKGROUND
World migration shifts emphasize the necessity of framing health behavior in the context of life course. Mexican-born households in the U.S. disproportionally experience food insecurity, a condition associated with poor health. Food assistance programs may not be accessible to immigrants, suggesting food provisioning strategies may play a critical protective role.


OBJECTIVE
To explore life course and ecological system influences on food provisioning among low-income, Mexican-born mothers in the U.S. to identify target influences and behaviors for interventions.


METHODS
Life Course Perspective and Ecological Systems Theory guided this qualitative study.


INCLUSION CRITERIA
1) woman born in Mexico, 2) ≤10 years in U.S., 3) residing in one of two New York State counties, 4) at least one child ≤5 years old, and 5) <200% of the federal poverty line. Participants completed two semi-structured interviews, including a participant-driven photo elicitation interview, in English or Spanish, and a food insecurity assessment. Thematic content analysis identified emergent themes.


RESULTS
Five themes emerged that were related to three key life course concepts: social context in Mexico (food insecurity experiences, agrarian experiences, and traditional foods and flavors), transitions (motherhood), and turning points (health events). All themes related to mothers' overall priority of providing home-cooked meals, and demonstrated life course influences shaping food provisioning values and strategies.


CONCLUSION
Considering life course experiences is important to creating effective, multi-level approaches to reduce food insecurity among Mexican-born families in the northeastern U.S. Programs should have a particular emphasis on new or soon-to-be mothers and should include improved access to affordable in-season produce or gardening opportunities, peer-led food provisioning programs, and food and nutrition assistance programs.
['McClain|Amanda C|AC|', 'Dickin|Katherine L|KL|', 'Dollahite|Jamie|J|']
D000328:Adult D002675:Child, Preschool D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants D005191:Family Characteristics D005523:Food Supply D006801:Humans D008019:Life Style D008800:Mexico D009035:Mothers D009518:New York D011203:Poverty D055815:Young Adult
Life course Food provisioning Mexican-born Food insecurity Ecological systems theory Participant-driven photo elicitation Hispanic/Latino