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SNAP and Diet Quality: An Instrumental Variables Approach

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  • Gregory, Christian A.
  • Ver Ploeg, Michele
  • Andrews, Margaret S.
  • Coleman-Jensen, Alisha

Abstract

Recent research has shown that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is effective in reducing food insecurity. Questions remain, however, about whether SNAP also has any effects on the quality of low-income households’ diets. These questions have surfaced in the context of the increasing public costs of diet-related illnesses like diabetes, dyslipidemia, and heart disease. Policy recommendations to restrict what can be purchased with SNAP benefits are evidence of these concerns. We use a unique data set that matches state-level SNAP policy variables to individual level data in three waves of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). We examine Healthy Eating Index (HEI) scores and intakes of macro-nutrients for low-income households that do and do not participate in SNAP. We find that, after controlling for observed and unobserved factors, SNAP recipients had overall diet quality comparable to their counterparts, although most differences are in the favor of non-participants. While SNAP purchase restrictions could improve diet outcomes, they might do so at the cost of impairing the effectiveness of SNAP at reducing food insecurity.

Suggested Citation

  • Gregory, Christian A. & Ver Ploeg, Michele & Andrews, Margaret S. & Coleman-Jensen, Alisha, 2012. "SNAP and Diet Quality: An Instrumental Variables Approach," 2012 Annual Meeting, August 12-14, 2012, Seattle, Washington 124757, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:aaea12:124757
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.124757
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    14. repec:mpr:mprres:2567 is not listed on IDEAS
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    Cited by:

    1. Rolando, Dominique J., 2018. "Would a discount on fruits and vegetables provide more relative welfare to the poor? Evaluating the impact of policy mechanisms," 2018 Annual Meeting, August 5-7, Washington, D.C. 273848, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    2. Rigdon, Joseph & Berkowitz, Seth A. & Seligman, Hilary K. & Basu, Sanjay, 2017. "Re-evaluating associations between the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participation and body mass index in the context of unmeasured confounders," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 192(C), pages 112-124.

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