This paper provides a systematic review of recent U.S. studies on dietary quality, food consumption, and spending among Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants as compared to income-eligible and higher-income nonparticipants. Twenty-five studies that were peer reviewed, published between January 2003 and August 2014, and provided data on dietary quality and intake of SNAP participants and nonparticipants were included in the review. Most results suggest no statistically significant difference in caloric intake for SNAP participants compared to income-eligible and higher-income nonparticipants. Differences emerged in dietary quality, with SNAP-participating adults having less nutritious diets that either group of nonparticipants, and SNAP-participating children having less nutritious diets than higher-income children.
Dietary Quality of Americans by Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Participation Status: A Systematic Review
Related Research
July 2021
Promoting Equitable Expansion of the SNAP Online Purchasing Pilot
The USDA Online Purchasing Pilot, which allows SNAP participants to shop and pay for groceries online, rapidly expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic. From March 2020 to March 2021, the number of participating states increased from 5 to 47. This brief assesses whether the Pilot promotes healthy food access (using the … More
July 2021
Acceptability, Preference, and No-Show Rates for In-Person and Phone-Based Consultations at Nine WIC Centers in New York City Before and During COVID-19
Access to WIC benefits typically requires an in-person visit to a WIC center, however this became a challenge during the COVID-19 pandemic due to recommendations for social distancing to minimize and prevent the spread of the virus. As a result, in-person requirements were removed for all visits, except first time … More
July 2021
Strengthening the Public Health Impacts of SNAP: Key Opportunities for the Next Farm Bill
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the largest United States Department of Agriculture federal nutrition assistance program. As an entitlement program, SNAP is designed to expand as incomes fall, enabling the program to respond quickly when need increases. For example, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, SNAP served an average … More