A qualitative study of diverse experts' views about barriers and strategies to improve the diets and health of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) beneficiaries.
Authors: Leung CW ; Hoffnagle EE ; Lindsay AC ; Lofink HE ; Hoffman VA ; Turrell S ; Willett WC ; Blumenthal SJ
Author Address: Department of Nutrition at Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
Source: Journal Of The Academy Of Nutrition And Dietetics [J Acad Nutr Diet] 2013 Jan; Vol. 113 (1), pp. 70-6.
Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Publisher: Elsevier Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 101573920 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 2212-2672 (Print) NLM ISO Abbreviation: J Acad Nutr Diet Subsets: Core Clinical (AIM); MEDLINE
Imprint Name(s): Original Publication: New York : Elsevier
Abstract:
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the largest federal food assistance program, currently serves 44.7 million Americans with a budget of $75 billion in 2011. This study engaged leading experts for in-depth, semi-structured interviews to explore their opinions concerning the existing challenges and barriers to eating nutritiously in SNAP. Experts also proposed strategies for improving nutritional status among SNAP recipients. Twenty-seven individuals were interviewed from advocacy, government, industry, and research organizations. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, coded, and analyzed for thematic content. The high cost of nutrient-rich foods, inadequate SNAP benefits, limited access to purchasing healthy foods, and environmental factors associated with poverty were identified as barriers that influence nutrition among low-income households in the United States. Six themes emerged among respondents from diverse sectors about how to address these challenges, including providing SNAP participants with incentives to purchase nutrient-rich food...