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“We Look Forward to Reaping from the Harvest”: A Socioecological Exploration of the Food Access Environment of Urban-Dwelling Older Adults Using Photovoice

Cotner, Michaela
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Abstract

The population of older adults aged 65 and older are increasing in metropolitan areas across the United States. Adequate nutrition and a variety of healthy food opportunities are integral to aging and a good quality of life. Urban areas can concentrate poverty, but they can also offer opportunities for older, low-income adults provided by proximity to neighbors, close food establishments, and nearby community and health services. Although research recognizes the need for healthy food access among older adults, there is a gap in the literature regarding older adults’ perceptions of their food access environment in low-income neighborhoods within metropolitan cities. The objective of this study was to obtain older adults’ perception of their food access using photovoice and examine the data using the socioecological model of nutrition environment. Photovoice uses photographs or other mediums in focus groups to generate discussion based on the topic and pictures taken; thereby creating data and knowledge. The socioecological model of the nutrition environment describes individual, social, physical, and systemic factors that interact to influence food choice of older adults who frequent two senior centers in low-income neighborhoods of Atlanta, Georgia. Southeast Senior Center and New Horizons Senior Center hosted four focus groups at each location from May 2023 to August 2023. Focus groups were recorded, transcribed, and checked for accuracy. Utilizing photovoice, participants discussed the complex interplay of individual and system-level factors at each level of the socioecological model of the nutrition environment that influence their food access. These included factors such as personal preferences, community resources, and government assistance.

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2025-07-14
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Cotner, Michaela. "We Look Forward to Reaping from the Harvest": A Socioecological Exploration of the Food Access Environment of Urban-Dwelling Older Adults Using Photovoice." 2025. Georgia State University. https://doi.org/10.57709/ap0s-jt17.
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