Is the Latin American and Caribbean Food Security Scale an Appropriate Instrument for Mexican Urban Older Adults?

Abstract

Older adults in Mexico are a growing share of the population and are a largely vulnerable group with increased risk of food insecurity and potential detrimental health effects stemming from it. This study assesses the face validity of the Latin American and Caribbean Food Security Scale (ELCSA) among Mexican urban older adults of low socioeconomic status. Qualitative study based on 4 focus groups. The focus groups were conducted in community organizations for the elderly in an area of Mexico City with a high proportion of poverty. The focus groups included a total of 36 older adults aged 65 and over who consented to participate. Two initial focus groups were conducted to assess how older adults understood the food security construct and each of the ELCSA items. Based on these findings, ELCSA was modified and retested for face validity through two additional focus groups. The initial focus groups suggested that several of the scale items were not well understood, leading to editorial modifications of the scale. The final focus groups indicated that the modified version of the scale improved substantially ELCSA's face validity in this sample. The modified ELCSA led to a greater understanding of most scale items. Further qualitative research is needed to improve food insecurity measurements among older adults in Latin America.