Does SNAP participation status affect diet quality based on AHA goals in US adults?
Dietary disparities persist among US adults, with SNAP participants failing to meet AHA goals for a healthful diet.
IMPORTANCE: Unhealthful diet is a top contributor to chronic diseases in the United States. There are growing concerns about disparities in diet among US adults, especially for those who participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the largest federal food assistance program. It remains unclear how these disparities may have changed over time. OBJECTIVE: To assess whether disparities in key food groups and nutrients according to participation and eligibility for SNAP have persisted, improved, or worsened over time among US adults. DESIGN SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: This survey study examined a nationally representative sample of 38 696 adults aged 20 years or older: 6162 SNAP participants, 6692 income-eligible nonparticipants, and 25 842 higher-income individuals from 8 cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999-2014). Data analysis was conducted between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2017. EXPOSURES: Survey-weighted, energy-adjusted diet by SNAP participation status. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Mean diet scores and proportions of US adults meeting poor, intermediate, or ideal diet scores based on the American Heart Association (AHA) 2020 Strategic Impact Goals for diet, including 8 components (fruits and vegetables; whole grains; fish and shellfish; sugar-sweetened beverages; sodium; nuts, seeds, and legumes; processed meats; and saturated fat). RESULTS: = .26 for difference). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Dietary disparities persisted or worsened for most dietary components among US adults. Despite improvement in some dietary components, SNAP participants still do not meet the AHA goals for a healthful diet.
Zhang et al. (Fri,) studied this question.