Diet Quality Over the Monthly Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Cycle

Whiteman, Eliza Davenport; Chrisinger, Benjamin W.; Hillier, Amy

doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2018.04.027

Cited by 44 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…End-of-month calorie restriction is evident within the SNAP cycle, as is healthier food purchasing immediately following benefit disbursement (Todd, 2014; Wilde & Ranney, 2000). Other studies have shown diminished diet quality as time from benefit distribution increases, as well as a higher likelihood of skipping meals later in the benefit cycle (Hamrick & Andrews, 2016; Sanjeevi & Freeland-Graves, 2018; Whiteman, Chrisinger, & Hillier, 2018). Among children, increased time since last SNAP benefit distribution has been associated with poorer school performance (Gassman-Pines & Bellows, 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Food and financial coping strategies during the monthly Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program cycle

Kinsey

Oberle

Dupuis

et al. 2019

SSM - Population Health

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One in seven Americans participates in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), making it the largest federally funded food assistance program. SNAP benefits are distributed once per month and both food spending and calorie consumption tend to decrease as time from benefit distribution increases. The monthly SNAP benefit cycle has serious implications for the health and financial stability of low-income families, a growing number of whom rely on SNAP as their sole source of income. Relatively little is known about the specific coping strategies households use to manage the SNAP cycle. The purpose of this study is to provide a critical exploration of the nature and timing of coping strategies for managing the SNAP cycle, including implications these coping mechanisms have for health and financial stability. This paper presents data from a prospective cohort study of mothers (n = 12) receiving SNAP benefits in Philadelphia between 2016 and 17. Both in-depth qualitative and survey methods were used. Participants reported on a variety of coping strategies they used to manage the SNAP cycle, including adjustments to shopping and eating patterns, mental accounting, emotional resilience, and social support. Instrumental social support was particularly vital in the final days of the benefit cycle, as were skipping meals and purchasing less expensive, energy-dense foods. Constant vigilance was required throughout the month to manage financial instability. The coping strategies for managing the SNAP cycle have short-term benefits, such as buffering against hunger and financial instability, however these survival strategies may have negative long-term repercussions for physical and financial health.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Food and financial coping strategies during the monthly Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program cycle

Kinsey

Oberle

Dupuis

et al. 2019

SSM - Population Health

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“…The average HEI of around 30 is also very low. In the USA, the HEI is in the 50s for people at higher mean income levels and in the 40s for people in the lower income segments [ 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 ]. Mean micronutrient adequacy ratios are below 100% for all of our subsamples from urban Zambia ( Supplementary Table S6 ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Individual-level dietary quality was evaluated with the food-intake data from the 24 h recalls. Simple dietary quality indicators are the food variety score (FVS), the dietary diversity score (DDS), and the healthy eating index (HEI-2015) [ 19 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 ]. FVS is a simple count of the different food items eaten by the individual during the 24 h recall period.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Modern Food Retailers on Adult and Child Diets and Nutrition

2020

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In many developing countries, food environments are changing rapidly, with modern retailers—such as supermarkets—gaining in importance. Previous studies have suggested that the rise of modern retailers contributes to overweight and obesity. Effects of modern retailers on dietary quality have not been analyzed previously due to the unavailability of individual-level dietary data. Here, we address this research gap with data from randomly selected households in Lusaka, Zambia. Anthropometric and food-intake data from 930 adults and 499 children were analyzed to estimate effects of purchasing food in modern retailers on body weight, height, and dietary quality while controlling for income and other confounding factors. The food expenditure share spent in modern retailers was found to be positively associated with overweight in adults, but not in children. For children, a positive association between expenditures in modern retailers and height was identified. Modern retailers contribute to higher consumption of ultra-processed foods and calories. But they also increase protein and micronutrient intakes among adults and children, mainly through higher consumption of meat and dairy. The findings underline that modern retailers can influence diets and nutrition in positive and negative ways. Differentiated regulatory policies are needed to shape food environments for healthy food choices and nutrition.

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“…Moreover, some programs required incentives to be redeemed immediately upon receipt [7,31], but others allowed the incentive to be used for a future transaction. Importantly, allowing participants to save the incentive and choose when they use it may be beneficial, due to the monthly "SNAP-cycle" spending pattern, where the majority of recipients spend most of their monthly benefits within two weeks after receiving them [43,44]. In all cases, the intent of these benefits is to induce participants to increase their FV purchases by providing them with financial rewards for these purchases and/or resources that enable them to purchase these foods at a lower price.…”

Section: Recruitment and Eligibility Of Incentive Program Participantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fruit and Vegetable Incentive Programs for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Participants: A Scoping Review of Program Structure

Engel

Ruder

2020

Nutrients

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The low intake of fruits/vegetables (FV) by Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants is a persistent public health challenge. Fruit and vegetable incentive programs use inducements to encourage FV purchases. The purpose of this scoping review is to identify structural factors in FV incentive programs that may impact program effectiveness, including (i.) differences in recruitment/eligibility, (ii.) incentive delivery and timing, (iii.) incentive value, (iv.) eligible foods, and (v.) retail venue. Additionally, the FV incentive program impact on FV purchase and/or consumption is summarized. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines for scoping reviews, a search of four bibliographic databases resulted in the identification of 45 publications for consideration; 19 of which met the pre-determined inclusion criteria for full-length publications employing a quasi-experimental design and focused on verified, current SNAP participants. The data capturing study objective, study design, sample size, incentive program structure characteristics (participant eligibility and recruitment, delivery and timing of incentive, foods eligible for incentive redemption, type of retail venue), and study outcomes related to FV purchases/consumption were entered in a standardized chart. Eleven of the 19 studies had enrollment processes to receive the incentive, and most studies (17/19) provided the incentive in the form of a token, coupon, or voucher. The value of the incentives varied, but was usually offered as a match. Incentives were typically redeemable only for FV, although three studies required an FV purchase to trigger the delivery of an incentive for any SNAP-eligible food. Finally, most studies (16/19) were conducted at farmers’ markets. Eighteen of the 19 studies reported a positive impact on participant purchase and/or consumption of FV. Overall, this scoping review provides insights intended to inform the design, implementation, and evaluation of future FV incentive programs targeting SNAP participants; and demonstrates the potential effectiveness of FV incentive programs for increasing FV purchase and consumption among vulnerable populations.

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Diet Quality Over the Monthly Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Cycle

Cited by 44 publications

References 27 publications

Food and financial coping strategies during the monthly Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program cycle

Food and financial coping strategies during the monthly Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program cycle

Effects of Modern Food Retailers on Adult and Child Diets and Nutrition

Fruit and Vegetable Incentive Programs for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Participants: A Scoping Review of Program Structure

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