Abstract
Objective: The current study aimed to (i) describe racial/ethnic disparities in household food and beverage purchases among participants and non-participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and (ii) examine longitudinal associations between SNAP participation and purchases by race/ethnicity. Design: To describe disparities, we estimated sociodemographic-adjusted mean purchases of seven unhealthy food and beverage groups (e.g. junk food, sugar-sweetened beverages) and four nutrients (e.g. sugar, Na) among white, black and Hispanic SNAP-participating and non-participating households. To examine longitudinal associations, we used multivariable linear regression with household fixed effects. Setting: USA, 2010–2014. Subjects: Food and beverage purchases among low-income (≤250% federal poverty line) US households (n 30403) participating in the Nielsen Homescan Panel. Results: Among non-participants, there were significant black-white disparities (i.e. differences favouring white households) in households’ adjusted mean purchases of processed meat, sweeteners, sugar-sweetened beverages, energy and Na. These disparities persisted among SNAP participants. In contrast, the only significant Hispanic-white disparity among non-participants was for Na purchases; this disparity was reduced in magnitude and no longer significant among SNAP-participating households. Additionally, Hispanic households purchased less energy from junk foods than white households, regardless of SNAP status. In longitudinal models accounting for household fixed effects, SNAP participation was associated with increased energy purchased among black households. No other significant longitudinal associations between SNAP and purchase outcomes were observed. Conclusions: SNAP may not be meeting its potential to improve food and beverage purchases or reduce disparities. Research is needed to identify strategies for ensuring nutritious purchases across all racial/ethnic groups.
Generated Summary
This study investigates the racial/ethnic disparities in food and beverage purchases among participants and non-participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in the United States. Using a longitudinal dataset from the Nielsen Homescan Panel spanning from 2010 to 2014, the research aimed to describe these disparities and examine the longitudinal associations between SNAP participation and purchase outcomes. The study employed a quasi-experimental design, utilizing household-level purchase data and sociodemographic information to assess the impact of SNAP on dietary behaviors across different racial and ethnic groups. The methodology involved estimating adjusted mean purchases of various food and beverage groups and nutrients among SNAP participants and non-participants, while also employing multivariable linear regression with household fixed effects to assess longitudinal associations. The focus was on analyzing purchases of unhealthy foods, beverages, and nutrients to understand the potential of SNAP in addressing dietary disparities and to inform policy decisions related to nutrition assistance programs. The study’s scope was limited to low-income households, defined as those with incomes at or below 250% of the federal poverty line.
Key Findings & Statistics
- Sample Characteristics: The study analyzed 89,048 household-by-quarter observations from 30,403 unique households. Of these, 17.5% were current SNAP participants. The average household size was 2.4, with 25% of households having any children, and 6.8% with children aged 2-5 years. The majority of households (52.9%) were married, and the average age of the household head was 59.2 years.
- Racial/Ethnic Distribution: Among the households, 16.4% were headed by non-Hispanic White individuals, 26.6% by non-Hispanic Black individuals, and 21% by Hispanic individuals.
- SNAP Participation and Race/Ethnicity: The highest SNAP participation was observed among Black households (26.6%), followed by Hispanic households (21.0%), and White households (16.4%).
- Adjusted Mean Purchases in Non-Participants: Among non-participants, Black households purchased more energy from processed meats (mean difference = 14.3 kcal), sweeteners, sugar-sweetened beverages (mean difference = 17.3 kcal), total sugars, and sodium than White households.
- Disparities Among SNAP Participants: The disparities observed among non-participants persisted among SNAP participants. Black SNAP households purchased significantly more junk foods (adjusted mean difference = +36.6 kcal) and total energy (adjusted mean difference = +126.9 kcal) compared to White SNAP households.
- Hispanic Households: Hispanic non-participant households showed lower purchases of desserts, candy, and junk foods than White non-participants. However, these advantages were not consistently seen among Hispanic SNAP participants.
- Longitudinal Associations: In longitudinal models, SNAP participation was associated with increased energy purchases among Black households (average difference = +69.1 kcal). SNAP participation was also associated with increased energy purchased among white households, but this association was not statistically significant.
- Specific Food Categories: For black households, there was a positive correlation for junk food (25.4) compared to white households.
- Sensitivity Analyses: Sensitivity analyses using unweighted models showed similar results.
Other Important Findings
- Among non-participants, black households showed significant disparities in purchases of processed meat, sweeteners, sugar-sweetened beverages, energy and sodium compared to white households.
- The study found that the disparities in the purchase of unhealthy food categories among non-participants were persistent among SNAP participants.
- The only significant disparity among non-participants was in sodium purchases; this was reduced in magnitude among SNAP-participating households.
- Hispanic households purchased less energy from junk foods than white households, regardless of SNAP status.
- Longitudinal models revealed that SNAP participation was associated with increased energy purchased among black households.
- The study observed significant racial/ethnic disparities in household purchases of foods, beverages, and nutrients among both SNAP participants and non-participants.
- Black SNAP households purchased significantly more junk foods and total energy compared to white SNAP households.
- Hispanic non-participant households showed advantages over white non-participant households in terms of dessert, candy and junk food purchases, but these were not seen among SNAP participants.
- SNAP participation was associated with higher purchases of total energy for black households and increased energy purchases among white households (though the latter was not statistically significant).
Limitations Noted in the Document
- The study’s reliance on electronic purchase data from the Nielsen Homescan Panel means it only includes packaged food and beverage purchases, excluding items like loose produce and deli meats.
- The Homescan data may lead to underreporting of frequently consumed items like single beverages and snacks.
- The sample’s representativeness is limited by the exclusion of high-income households, and the study’s findings may not generalize to all American households.
- The study’s observational design means that causal effects cannot be determined, and there may be unobserved confounders.
- The study did not account for the level of acculturation among Hispanic households.
- The cross-sectional nature of the study means it cannot describe existing differences in purchases across households.
- The study does not examine whether the programme is meeting its potential to address disparities in dietary behaviors.
- The study does not take into account the benefit cycle in relation to purchases.
Conclusion
The study’s findings suggest that SNAP may not be fully meeting its potential to reduce racial/ethnic disparities in dietary behaviors. The persistence of disparities in the purchase of unhealthy foods, beverages, and nutrients among SNAP participants, particularly for Black households, raises concerns about the program’s effectiveness in improving dietary quality across different racial and ethnic groups. The observation that Black SNAP households purchased significantly more junk foods and total energy compared to White SNAP households, coupled with the absence of significant improvements in several outcomes, calls for a reevaluation of current strategies. The association between SNAP participation and increased energy purchases among Black households further highlights the need for targeted interventions. The study’s conclusions emphasize the importance of developing and implementing new strategies to address disparities and improve the nutritional profile of SNAP households’ purchases. These strategies could include item restrictions, modifications to SNAP-Ed programs, and adjustments to stocking requirements and benefit distribution. The research underscores the need for further investigation to understand the factors that drive purchase behaviors and to identify effective interventions that promote healthier eating habits across all racial/ethnic groups. The study suggests that the SNAP benefit cycle might be impacting consumption levels of households with lower levels of educational attainment. This highlights a need to examine the influence of benefit cycles on the dietary quality of SNAP participants.