Policy, Systems, and Environmental Change Strategies in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed)

Abstract

Objective: To categorize and quantify how states planned to use policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) change strategies in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed). Methods: Qualitative content analysis of SNAP-Ed annual plans from all 50 states, District of Columbia, Guam, and the US Virgin Islands between fiscal years 2014 and 2016. Results: Between 2014 and 2016, the percentage of states that included PSEs as a statewide goal increased from 25% to 47%, and the percentage that planned to implement at least 1 PSE increased from 56% to 98%. Among states that planned to implement PSEs in 2016, the 3 most common settings were places in which people learn (92%), live (90%), and work (83%). Conclusions and Implications:The increased planned use of PSEs in SNAP-Ed was considerable and encouraging as PSEs are important to use in conjunction with direct education and social marketing to improve nutrition and prevent obesity.

Key determinants to school breakfast program implementation in Philadelphia public schools: Implications for the role of SNAP-Ed

“…This finding provides support for collaborating with SNAP-Ed agencies for promoting breakfast participation and reducing food insecurity in students and families ( 39 – 41 ). Recent findings show that more states are planning to use more policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) approaches in their SNAP-Ed programs to maximize the public health impact of this provision, highlighting opportunities for future research ( 39 ).…”

“…Principal survey data suggests that ERP involvement though delivering SNAP-Ed funded nutrition education in the classroom was closely linked to implementation of BIC and CAB breakfast models. This finding provides support for collaborating with SNAP-Ed agencies for promoting breakfast participation and reducing food insecurity in students and families (39)(40)(41). Recent findings show that more states are planning to use more policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) approaches in their SNAP-Ed programs to maximize the public health impact of this provision, highlighting opportunities for future research (39).…”

New forPCDin 2022: Increased Impact Factor, Expanded Expertise, First Guest Editorial Board, and Progress in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Goals

“…Health behaviors are shaped not only by individual choices but also by the environments in which they occur ( 9 ). Policy, system, and environmental changes seek to create conditions that support people in adopting and sustaining healthy behaviors ( 10 ). PCD is interested in articles that describe the use and effectiveness of such changes in creating accessible and available settings, environments, and conditions that help people make healthy choices in schools, communities, worksites, hospitals, restaurants, and beyond.…”

“…• Implementing and Sustaining Policy, Systems, and Environmental Changes to Support Healthy Behaviors in Diverse Settings (https://www.cdc.gov/pcd/announcements.htm#capImpSus). Health behaviors are shaped not only by individual choices but also by the environments in which they occur (9). Policy, system, and environmental changes seek to create conditions that support people in adopting and sustaining healthy behaviors (10).…”

African Americans’ perceptions of nutrition interventions: a scoping review

“…The SNAP-Ed programme currently requires that states implement PSE changes, and the most recent published data indicate that the percentage of SNAP-Ed programmes planning to implement PSE change work increased from 56% in 2014 to 98% in 2016. (9) Regardless of the programme implementing them, both nutrition education and PSE changes will be necessary to combat obesity, and they are most effective when paired together in multi-component, multi-level interventions. (10) African Americans in the United States experience a higher rate of obesity compared with white residents of the United States, (2) which may be due in part to differences in their food environment.…”