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Nutritional impacts of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
Author(s) -
JohnsonLargent Tiffany Nicole,
Harland Barbara F,
Johnson Allan A
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.25.1_supplement.769.1
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, is an entitlement food assistance and nutrition program funded by the United States Department of Agriculture. This study examined the relationships of participation in SNAP to nutritional status, risk of nutrition‐related diseases, and food security. Data were obtained from the 1999–2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Twelve hundred and ninety SNAP participants and non‐participants were matched for age, gender and ethnicity. Variables examined included: dietary intakes of protein, calcium, iron, vitamin C and folate; blood levels of protein, albumin, iron, bone alkaline phosphatase, ferritin, transferrin saturation, glucose, and blood lipids; body mass index and waist circumference; and blood pressure. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using SUDAAN. SNAP participants had significantly lower dietary intakes of protein, and calcium; significantly higher blood levels of bone alkaline phosphatase, ferritin, protein, and LDL‐cholesterol; but significantly lower levels of HDL‐cholesterol. Mean body mass index, and waist circumference were significantly lower in non‐participants. Non‐participants were more likely to be fully food secure. It is recommended that nutrition education be made an integral component of SNAP.