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The Food Stamp Program or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federal-assistance program that provides assistance to low- and no-income people living in the U.S. If you belong to the aforementioned groups, you can buy these food stamps, cards or coupons for US$1, US$5, and US$10. With these, you will be able to purchase any prepackaged edible foods regardless of nutritional value (for example soft drinks and confectionery). And that is exactly the problem with these food stamps. All they can purchase are low-nutrition foods.
Isn’t it ironic that people on food stamps are the ones at increased risk of becoming obese? But it’s true! A new study shows a “strong linkage” between U.S. Food Stamp Programs and weight-gain.
The research, published in the journal Economics and Human Biology, examined weight fluctuations in 4,000 people receiving food stamps, and 6,000 people not in any program for 14 years.
Data revealed female food stamps users had a Body Mass Index 1.15 points higher than women not participating in a food stamp program. This translates into an average increase of 5.8 pounds of weight.
Here’s why: monthly food stamp allotment amounts to roughly $81 per person. What would you buy–pricey fruits and vegetables? Or, a 50-pound bag of coco sugar puffs that will last a month?
Makes sense, doesn’t it?
Hi there, just wanted to clarify some outdated information in your article. Your picture and first paragraph - food stamp/SNAP benefits no longer come on paper coupons and participants do not have to purchase them. Benefits are automatically loaded onto a recipient’s EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) card every month, and this card can be used in stores just like a debit card would - for qualified food purchases (excludes alcohol, tobacco, and hot deli items).
It is not correct that “All they can purchase are low-nutrition foods.” SNAP recipients are free to choose the food they buy - just like every other American. I agree with you that for people on a limited food budget, quantity often trumps quality, but I would argue that the higher obesity levels in SNAP recipients are more due to their socio-economic/financial status and less dependent on whether or not they receive SNAP. I would like to see a link to the study you are referencing if you are able to provide it.
There are some great initiatives out there to provide financial incentives for SNAP users to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables, and I wholly support those initiatives. You are right that it is very difficult to justify buying pricey produce on a limited budget. The average SNAP allotment these days (in Montana) is $130.85 per person per month (Dept. of Health & Human Services, June 2009 program statistics). With careful budgeting, this amount should be enough to eat healthy, plus, SNAP is meant to supplement a family’s food budget, not replace it altogether. What’s really needed, I think, is increased access to affordable produce and more education on how to prepare healthy meals without breaking the bank.
Thanks for listening!