Published: January 2013

ID #: 68813

Journal: J Acad Nutr Diet

Authors: Leung CW, Hoffnagle EE, Lindsay AC, et al

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This study engaged experts from diverse sectors to explore their opinions concerning the existing challenges to eating nutritiously in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) program and propose strategies for improving the diets and health of SNAP recipients. The high cost of nutrient-rich foods, inadequate SNAP benefits amounts, and environmental factors associated with poverty were identified by respondents as challenges to improving the nutritional status of SNAP participants. Six themes emerged among respondents about how to address these challenges: providing SNAP participants with incentives to purchase nutrient-rich foods; restricting the purchase of nutrient-poor foods and beverages with program benefits, modifying the frequency of SNAP benefits distribution; enhancing nutrition education; improving the SNAP retailer environment; and increasing state- and federal-level coordination and consistency of program implementation.

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