Cindy W Leung1, Eduardo Villamor. 1. Department of Nutrition, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, 665 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA. cleung@hsph.harvard.edu
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Public assistance programmes may increase risk of obesity among adults. The current study assessed whether participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP; formerly the Food Stamp Program), Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or California Work Opportunities and Responsibilities to Kids (CalWorks) was associated with obesity, independent of socio-economic status and food insecurity. DESIGN: A cross-sectional analysis of the 2007 Adult California Health Interview Survey. Outcome measures included BMI and obesity. Distribution of BMI and prevalence of obesity were compared by participation in each programme, using weighted linear and binomial regression models in which BMI or obesity was the outcome, respectively, and programme participation was the predictor. SETTING: A population survey of various health measures. SUBJECTS: Non-institutionalized adults (n 7741) whose household income was ≤130% of the federal poverty level. RESULTS: The prevalence of obesity was 27.4%. After adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, food insecurity and participation in other programmes, the prevalence of obesity was 30% higher in SNAP participants (95% CI 6%, 59%; P=0.01) than in non-participants. This association was more pronounced among men than women. SSI participation was related to an adjusted 50% higher prevalence of obesity (95% CI 27%, 77%; P<0.0001) compared with no participation. SNAP and SSI participants also reported higher soda consumption than non-participants of any programme. CalWorks participation was not associated with obesity after multivariable adjustment. CONCLUSIONS: Participation in SNAP or SSI was associated with obesity independent of food insecurity or socio-economic status. The suggestion that these associations may be mediated by dietary quality warrants further investigation among low-income populations.
OBJECTIVE: Public assistance programmes may increase risk of obesity among adults. The current study assessed whether participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP; formerly the Food Stamp Program), Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or California Work Opportunities and Responsibilities to Kids (CalWorks) was associated with obesity, independent of socio-economic status and food insecurity. DESIGN: A cross-sectional analysis of the 2007 Adult California Health Interview Survey. Outcome measures included BMI and obesity. Distribution of BMI and prevalence of obesity were compared by participation in each programme, using weighted linear and binomial regression models in which BMI or obesity was the outcome, respectively, and programme participation was the predictor. SETTING: A population survey of various health measures. SUBJECTS: Non-institutionalized adults (n 7741) whose household income was ≤130% of the federal poverty level. RESULTS: The prevalence of obesity was 27.4%. After adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, food insecurity and participation in other programmes, the prevalence of obesity was 30% higher in SNAP participants (95% CI 6%, 59%; P=0.01) than in non-participants. This association was more pronounced among men than women. SSI participation was related to an adjusted 50% higher prevalence of obesity (95% CI 27%, 77%; P<0.0001) compared with no participation. SNAP and SSI participants also reported higher soda consumption than non-participants of any programme. CalWorks participation was not associated with obesity after multivariable adjustment. CONCLUSIONS: Participation in SNAP or SSI was associated with obesity independent of food insecurity or socio-economic status. The suggestion that these associations may be mediated by dietary quality warrants further investigation among low-income populations.
Authors: Michele Polacsek; Alyssa Moran; Anne N Thorndike; Rebecca Boulos; Rebecca L Franckle; Julie C Greene; Dan J Blue; Jason P Block; Eric B Rimm Journal: J Nutr Educ Behav Date: 2017-11-07 Impact factor: 3.045
Authors: Caitlin E Caspi; Reginald D Tucker-Seeley; Gary Adamkiewicz; Christina A Roberto; Anne M Stoddard; Glorian C Sorensen Journal: J Immigr Minor Health Date: 2017-02
Authors: Cindy W Leung; Eric L Ding; Paul J Catalano; Eduardo Villamor; Eric B Rimm; Walter C Willett Journal: Am J Clin Nutr Date: 2012-10-03 Impact factor: 7.045
Authors: Lisa Harnack; J Michael Oakes; Brian Elbel; Timothy Beatty; Sarah Rydell; Simone French Journal: JAMA Intern Med Date: 2016-11-01 Impact factor: 21.873