An Increase in SNAP Benefits Did Not Impact Food Security or Diet Quality in Youth

Abstract

Background: Low diet quality during childhood and adolescence is associated with adverse health outcomes later in life. Diet quality is generally poor in American youth, particularly in youth of low socioeconomic status. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the primary safety net to help low-income households afford a healthy diet. Yet self-selection into the program creates challenges in estimating the relationship between SNAP and diet outcomes.

Objective: This study examined how the increase in SNAP benefits during the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) affected food security and diet quality in low-income youth.

Design: This analysis used a difference-in-differences design and data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007-2008 to 2011-2012 waves.

Participants/setting: The sample included children and adolescents aged 2 to 18 years with household income ≤250% of the Federal Poverty Line. Food security and diet outcomes in SNAP-eligible youth (n = 2,797) were examined, with children in nearly SNAP-eligible households serving as a comparison group (n = 1,169). The diet quality analysis stratified the sample by age range.

Main outcome measures: The study assessed food security and 6 dietary outcomes: 2 nutrients (sodium and fiber), 3 food categories (fruit, vegetables, and sugar-sweetened beverages), and 1 measure of overall diet quality (Healthy Eating Index 2010).

Statistical analysis performed: Logistic regression and linear regression were used to estimate the relationship between SNAP eligibility and child food security and diet.

Results: In unadjusted analysis, approximately 64% of SNAP-eligible children were food secure before ARRA and 73% were food secure while ARRA was in effect. Using logistic regression in a difference-in-differences framework, the ARRA SNAP benefit increase was not significantly associated with food security (odds ratio 1.37, P = 0.43). Diet quality of SNAP-eligible children was low, scoring a 46 out of 100 on the Healthy Eating Index 2010. Measures of diet quality did not significantly change from the pre-ARRA period to the ARRA period; this did not differ by age range.

Conclusions: The increase in SNAP benefits during ARRA did not significantly impact food security or diet quality in low-income children and adolescents. Additional research to better understand how SNAP benefits impact dietary choice is warranted.

Keywords: Child diet quality; Difference-in-differences; Food security; SNAP; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.