The association between unhealthy dietary behaviors and SNAP (supplemental nutrition assistance program) participation: No evidence in support of the self-selection hypothesis

Appetite. 2024 Mar 8:107302. doi: 10.1016/j.appet.2024.107302. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTSNAP participants have been shown to have unhealthier dietary consumption compared to eligible non-participants. It has been suggested, though never empirically tested, that individuals who enroll in SNAP may have unhealthy diets prior to program participation. Using a longitudinal cohort study design, we examined the association between low-income adults' SNAP participation status and prior dietary behaviors to test the argument of self-selection of individuals with unhealthier dietary consumption into SNAP. A sample of households from predominantly lower-income cities were surveyed at baseline (T1) and 2-4 years later (T2). The main analyses were restricted to adults who did not participate in SNAP at T1 and with household income <200% of the federal poverty line (n = 170) at both T1 and T2. Participants were grouped into two categories, based on their SNAP participation at T2: (1) Non-participants (n = 132): no SNAP participation at T1 or T2, and (2) T2 SNAP participants (n = 38): SNAP participation at T2 but not T1. Daily consumption frequency of whole fruits, fruit juice, vegetables, sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), and energy dense snacks were measured through self-reports. To observe dietary differences between the two groups prior to SNAP participation, T1 behaviors were compared. There were no significant differences in dietary behaviors at T1 (prior to SNAP participation...
Source: Appetite - Category: Nutrition Authors: Source Type: research
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