Protocol for using digital technologies to increase redemption of WIC-approved foods: cohort feasibility study (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa Kay ◽  
Nour M Hammad ◽  
Sharon J Herring ◽  
Gary G Bennett
Keyword(s):  
Feasibility Study ◽  
Diet Quality ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Maternal Diet ◽  
Digital Technologies ◽  
Dietary Guidelines ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
Feasibility Assessment ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Nutrition Assistance

UNSTRUCTURED U.S. children eat too few fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and too many energy dense foods, dietary behaviors associated with increased risk for obesity and chronic diseases later in life. Maternal diet plays a key role in shaping children's diets, but many mothers have poor diet quality, especially those living in low-income households. WIC is a federal nutrition assistance program that provides mothers and children with nutrient-dense foods and those who participate have better diet quality. However, many mothers are not redeeming all their WIC-approved foods. There is a need to create effective interventions to improve diet quality, especially among low-income children and families. This manuscript describes the rationale and design for a pilot 12-week prospective cohort feasibility study that uses digital technologies to increase redemption of WIC-approved foods. The primary aim of the study is to explore the feasibility of the intervention and to determine the intervention's preliminary efficacy on improving maternal diet quality and increasing redemption of WIC-approved foods using a rigorous feasibility assessment framework. The results from this pilot study will explore whether this digital behavioral intervention, which will deliver nutrition guidance in accordance with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans using interactive self-monitoring and feedback, is feasible and acceptable. This will lay the foundation for a larger evaluation to determine efficacy for improving diet quality in those most at risk for obesity.

scholarly journals Three-year trends in dietary behaviours among mothers, teenagers and children from SNAP-Ed (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program–Education) eligible households across California

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fred Molitor ◽  
Celeste Doerr ◽  
John Pugliese ◽  
Lauren Whetstone
Keyword(s):  
Diet Quality ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Healthy Eating Index ◽  
Poverty Level ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
Dietary Behaviours ◽  
Nutrition Assistance

AbstractObjective:To examine trends from 2015 to 2017 in dietary behaviours and diet quality among low-income mothers, teenagers and children.Design:Cross-sectional telephone surveys using a validated 24 h dietary assessment.Setting:Randomly sampled households with incomes ≤185 % of the US federal poverty level across California.Participants:Survey participants were 13 247 mothers (≥18 years), 3293 teenagers (12–17 years) and 6043 children (5–11 years). Respondents were mostly Latino.Results:Over the 3-year study period, consumption of fruits and vegetables with and without 100 % fruit juice increased (P ≤ 0·05) by at least 0·3 cups/d for mothers, teenagers and children. Intake of water also increased (P ≤ 0·001) by more than 1 cup/d for mothers and children and 2 cups/d for teenagers. Sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption was unchanged over the 3 years. Overall diet quality, as assessed by the Healthy Eating Index-2015, improved (P ≤ 0·01) for mothers, teenagers and children. Covariates for the fifteen regression models (three age groups by five outcome variables) included race/ethnicity, age, education for mothers, and gender for teenagers and children.Conclusions:The observed increases in fruit and vegetable intake and improvements in overall diet quality during the 3-year period suggest that low-income Californians may have lowered their risk of preventable diseases. However, more intense or strategic SSB-reduction interventions are required. Regional- or state-level, population-based surveillance of dietary behaviours is useful for public health nutrition policy and programme decision making, and can be used to assess potential trends in future negative health outcomes and related costs associated with poor dietary behaviours within at-risk populations.

Role of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in Improving Diet Quality: Implications for Nurses

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 62-70
Author(s):  
Victoria M. Pak ◽  
Erin Ferranti ◽  
Ingrid Duva ◽  
Melissa Owen ◽  
Sandra B. Dunbar
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Diet Quality ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
Health Goals ◽  
National Public Health ◽  
Nutrition Assistance

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides access to healthy food for low-income individuals and households. Food security, however, does not necessarily achieve higher diet quality for beneficiaries. Diet quality is an important consideration for the development and management of chronic illness, a significant public health concern. In this study, we review incentives and disincentives implemented to improve the diet quality, the evidence on SNAP including benefits, challenges, and the politics of funding. New interventions and policies will be needed in order to improve the overall diet quality of SNAP households. SNAP should align with nutritional science to meet national public health goals. Nurses are trusted advocates for patients and the public and are uniquely positioned to aid in this effort. Informed by evidence, nurses willing to leverage their influence, can lead this needed change.

scholarly journals Poor Dietary Guidelines Compliance among Low-Income Women Eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed)

Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 327 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shinyoung Jun ◽  
Sowmyanarayanan Thuppal ◽  
Melissa Maulding ◽  
Heather Eicher-Miller ◽  
Dennis Savaiano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Dietary Guidelines ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
Low Income Women ◽  
Nutrition Assistance

Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM) position statement: provide funding for incentive programs to expand healthy food offerings in SNAP-authorized small food stores

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chelsea R Singleton ◽  
Oluwafikayo S Adeyemi ◽  
Kaustubh V Parab ◽  
Alexandra M Roehll ◽  
Edson Flores ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Technical Assistance ◽  
Position Statement ◽  
Healthy Food ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
Food Stores ◽  
Incentive Programs ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Nutrition Assistance ◽  
Food Offerings

Abstract Individuals and families with limited access to healthy foods often experience increased risk for poor diet and chronic disease. Low-income communities are more likely to have a large number of small food stores (e.g., corner stores and dollar stores) compared to higher-income communities. Since many of these small food stores participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), increasing healthy food offerings in these stores may expand healthy food retail in low-income communities. We recommend the provision of funding for incentive programs that encourage SNAP-authorized small food stores in low-income communities to expand their healthy food offerings. This programming should (a) provide seed grants to store owners to develop or reconfigure store infrastructure, (b) offer store owners technical assistance and educational materials on marketing strategies for promoting healthy food items to customers, and (c) give a tax break to SNAP-authorized small food stores in low-income communities that maintain a predetermined minimum stock of U.S. Department of Agriculture-recognized staple foods.

scholarly journals THE IMPACT OF FOOD INSECURITY ON THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF OLDER ADULTS: THE GROUPS MOST AT RISK

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S738-S738
Author(s):  
Lauren E Popham ◽  
Erin McGovern
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Prescription Drugs ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Well Being ◽  
National Council ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Nutrition Assistance ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Older adults who experience food insecurity (4.6 million) often have worse health outcomes. Food insecure older adults consume less nutrients, which puts them at greater risk of developing chronic diseases. They are at increased risk of falls due the impact of poor nutrition on muscle mass, bone density, and balance. Low-income older adults are often forced to choose between buying groceries and paying other bills. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) plays an important role in reducing food insecurity. SNAP enables older adults to buy the nutritious food they need, while freeing up resources to pay for everyday things to meet their health needs such as prescription drugs. Research shows that medication adherence increases when low-income older adults enroll in SNAP. Despite the beneficial impact of enrolling in SNAP, it’s estimated that 55% of eligible adults age 60 and older are not participating in this critical program. To understand which older adults are missing out on SNAP, the National Council on Aging engaged researchers at Leading Age LTSS Center at UMass Boston to analyze data from the 2014 Health and Retirement Study. The results show that some of the most vulnerable older adult populations are less likely to participate in SNAP even though they are eligible (i.e., Hispanic, age 75 and older, those who are not utilizing healthcare, etc.). The findings suggest that more targeted outreach to these groups is needed to ensure that the most vulnerable populations of older adults access this critical benefit.

scholarly journals Farmers’ market shopping and dietary behaviours among Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participants

2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (13) ◽  
pp. 2407-2414 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie B Jilcott Pitts ◽  
Qiang Wu ◽  
Chelsea L Demarest ◽  
Crystal E Dixon ◽  
Ciarra JM Dortche ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diet Quality ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ◽  
Farmers Markets ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
Farmers Market ◽  
Dietary Behaviours ◽  
Nutrition Assistance ◽  
Low Income Consumers

AbstractObjectiveBecause farmers’ markets include a variety of fruits and vegetables, shopping at farmers’ markets would likely improve diet quality among low-income consumers, as well as promote sustainable direct farm-to-consumer business models. However, not much is known about how to promote farmers’ market shopping among low-income consumers. Therefore, the purpose of the present paper was to examine barriers to and facilitators of shopping at farmers’ markets and associations between shopping at farmers’ markets and self-reported dietary behaviours (fruit and vegetable, sugar-sweetened beverage and fast-food consumption) and BMI.DesignCross-sectional analyses of associations between farmers’ market shopping frequency, awareness of markets, access to markets, dietary behaviours and BMI.SettingDepartment of Social Services, Pitt County, eastern North Carolina, USA.SubjectsBetween April and July 2013, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants (n205) completed a quantitative survey.ResultsBarriers to shopping at farmers’ markets included does not accept SNAP/electronic benefit transfer, out of the way and lack of transportation. Farmers’ market shopping was associated with awareness of farmers’ markets (estimate =0·18 (se0·04),P<0·001). Fruit and vegetable consumption was positively associated with farmers’ market shopping (estimate =1·06 (se0·32),P=0·001).ConclusionsOur study is one of the first to examine SNAP participants’ farmers’ market shopping, distance to farmers’ markets and dietary behaviours. Barriers to shopping at farmers’ markets and increasing awareness of existing markets should be addressed in future interventions to increase SNAP participants’ use of farmers’ markets, ultimately improving diet quality in this high-risk group.

scholarly journals Did School Meal Programs and SNAP Participation Improve Diet Quality of US Children from Low-Income Households: Evidence from NHANES 2013–2014?

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 3574
Author(s):  
Tzuan A. Chen ◽  
Lorraine R. Reitzel ◽  
Ezemenari M. Obasi ◽  
Jayna M. Dave
Keyword(s):  
Diet Quality ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Safety Net ◽  
Healthy Eating Index ◽  
School Meals ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
School Meal ◽  
Nutrition Assistance ◽  
Low Income Households

Nutrition assistance programs such as school meals and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are designed to provide a safety net for the dietary intake of children from low-income families. However, compared with eligible non-participants, the relationship of diet quality with school meals only and school meals + SNAP is not well understood. The objectives of the study include: (1) To explore whether and to what extent nutrition assistance program participation (school meals only and school meals + SNAP) is related to diet quality; and (2) to examine the differences of diet quality between participating in school meals only, school meals + SNAP, or non-participation among American children. Children aged 5 to 18 years old from income eligible households who participated in the 2013–2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were included in this cross-sectional study (n = 1425). Diet quality was measured using the Healthy Eating Index (HEI)–2015 and its 13 subcomponents. A Rao-Scott Chi-square test, propensity scores approach, and Analysis of Covariance were performed. Covariates included age, sex, race/ethnicity, weight status, and family monthly poverty index. SAS survey procedures were used to incorporate the appropriate sample design weights. Participation in school meals + SNAP was not associated with higher diet quality compared to eligible non-participants or school meals-only participants. Participation in school meals + SNAP improved the intake of total dairy, but not added sugars or total vegetables compared to school meals only. Overall, school meal + SNAP participation did not significantly improve the overall diet quality of children in low-income households relative to comparable non-participants.

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