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Dietary Behaviors and Diet Quality of Low‐Income Children in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
Author(s) -
Leung Cindy W,
Hoffnagle Elena E,
Jensen Helen H,
Foerster Susan B,
Murphy Suzanne P,
Nestle Marion,
Cheung Lilian,
Turrell Sophia,
Mozaffarian Dariush,
Willett Walter C,
Blumenthal Susan J
Publication year - 2012
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.26.1_supplement.631.5
Subject(s) - supplemental nutrition assistance program , medicine , environmental health , low income , snap , obesity , poverty , saturated fat , food group , dietary fiber , food insecurity , food security , gerontology , demography , food science , agriculture , biology , socioeconomics , ecology , computer graphics (images) , sociology , cholesterol , computer science , economics , economic growth
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the national nutrition safety net for low‐income families. Few studies have thoroughly examined dietary differences by children's SNAP participation status. We examined if SNAP participation was associated with weight and dietary outcomes in low‐income children. Using 1999–2008 NHANES, the study included 5,730 children aged 4–19 with household incomes <130% of federal poverty level. Diet was measured using 1–2 24‐hour recalls. No significant associations were observed between SNAP participation and weight status among all children (OR, obesity, 0.94, 95% CI 0.67, 1.32), or within age, sex and food security groups. For SNAP and non‐SNAP children, mean intakes of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, fiber, and potassium were ≤50% of the recommendations. Mean intakes of sugary beverages, saturated fat, sodium and iron were ≥150% of the recommendations. After multivariate adjustment, SNAP participants consumed 30% more vegetables (95% CI 4%, 62%), 34% more processed meats (95% CI 6%, 69%), 36% more high‐fat dairy (95% CI 13% 63%), and 63% more water (95% CI 14%, 31%) than nonparticipants. Additional dietary differences were observed among food‐insecure children only. SNAP participation was associated with a 5% lower Alternate Healthy Eating Index (95% CI 1%, 9%). Regardless of SNAP participation, the diets of low‐income children need improvement. Grant Funding Source : Robert Wood Johnson Foundation; Aetna Foundation; National Institutes of Health