Studies suggest that participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)—the largest federal nutrition assistance program in the U.S.—may be associated with suboptimal dietary patterns among adults, but these associations have not been extensively examined among children. This paper discusses the results of a study that examined the overall dietary quality among a national sample of lower-income children and whether differences were present by SNAP participation in overweight and obesity status; consumption of foods and nutrients; and overall dietary quality. Findings from the study suggest that SNAP participation was not associated with a higher rate of childhood overweight or obesity, but the diets of all lower-income children are far from meeting national dietary recommendations.
Published: March 2013
ID #: CAS006
Journal: Pediatrics
Authors: Leung CW, Blumenthal SJ, Hoffnagle EE, et al
Age Groups: Adolescents (grades 9 to 12), Elementary-age children (grades K to 5), Preschool-age children (ages 3 to 5), Young adolescents (grades 6 to 8)
Keywords: Body mass index (BMI), Food insecurity, Fruits and vegetables, Nutrition standards, Sugar-sweetened beverages, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Focus Areas: Diet Quality & Healthy Weight, Healthy Communities, Nutrition Policy & Programs
Resource Type: Journal Article
Race/Ethnicity: Multi-racial/ethnic
State: National
Related Research
April 2011
SNAP to Health: Analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) to Assess the Nutrition of Youth, Ages 4-19, Participating in SNAP
Given the significant reach and service the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food assistance program has for lower-income populations most vulnerable to food insecurity and poor nutrition, there is an urgent need to obtain data about the nutrition of children who participate in SNAP to determine what foods are being consumed. This analysis was designed MoreDecember 2024
Opportunities to Improve Summer EBT: Perspectives from state SNAP agencies
Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT), or SUN Bucks, is a new federal program that provides grocery benefits to low-income families with children during the summer months, when children no longer have access to free or reduced-price meals at school. However, 13 states did not opt into the program when it launched in 2024. To understand MoreNovember 2024