DD Summit 2025 Session: Examining the Food Access Environment of Senior Center Participants: A Socioecological Perspective Using Photovoice in an Urban Environment
Older adults aged 65 and older are increasing in urban areas across the United States. Adequate nutrition and healthy foods are integral to healthy aging and high quality of life. Urban areas can concentrate poverty, but they also offer opportunities such as proximity to neighbors, nearby food establishments, and public transportation. Despite the recognized need for healthy food access for all ages, there is a gap in the literature whereby urban older adults describe their food access and document it photographically.
The objective of this study was to examine the food access environment of senior center participants living in two urban communities in Atlanta, Georgia using photoelicitation, a method using photos to generate discussion. This study was based on 9 focus groups conducted at two senior centers from May to August 2023. Participants discussed individual and system-level factors influencing food access, including personal preferences, transportation, and finances. Furthermore, they highlighted the importance of adjusting to external changes outside of one’s control. The application of the sociological framework across these results presents several levels whereby nutrition professionals can and should intervene.
CEUs are only provided on the full DD Summit recording package. Learn more here.
Older adults aged 65 and older are increasing in urban areas across the United States. Adequate nutrition and healthy foods are integral to healthy aging and high quality of life. Urban areas can concentrate poverty, but they also offer opportunities such as proximity to neighbors, nearby food establishments, and public transportation. Despite the recognized need for healthy food access for all ages, there is a gap in the literature whereby urban older adults describe their food access and document it photographically.
The objective of this study was to examine the food access environment of senior center participants living in two urban communities in Atlanta, Georgia using photoelicitation, a method using photos to generate discussion. This study was based on 9 focus groups conducted at two senior centers from May to August 2023. Participants discussed individual and system-level factors influencing food access, including personal preferences, transportation, and finances. Furthermore, they highlighted the importance of adjusting to external changes outside of one’s control. The application of the sociological framework across these results presents several levels whereby nutrition professionals can and should intervene.
CEUs are only provided on the full DD Summit recording package. Learn more here.
Older adults aged 65 and older are increasing in urban areas across the United States. Adequate nutrition and healthy foods are integral to healthy aging and high quality of life. Urban areas can concentrate poverty, but they also offer opportunities such as proximity to neighbors, nearby food establishments, and public transportation. Despite the recognized need for healthy food access for all ages, there is a gap in the literature whereby urban older adults describe their food access and document it photographically.
The objective of this study was to examine the food access environment of senior center participants living in two urban communities in Atlanta, Georgia using photoelicitation, a method using photos to generate discussion. This study was based on 9 focus groups conducted at two senior centers from May to August 2023. Participants discussed individual and system-level factors influencing food access, including personal preferences, transportation, and finances. Furthermore, they highlighted the importance of adjusting to external changes outside of one’s control. The application of the sociological framework across these results presents several levels whereby nutrition professionals can and should intervene.
CEUs are only provided on the full DD Summit recording package. Learn more here.