Self-reported use of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits to purchase soda in a public health center population: Los Angeles County, California, 2012.
To better inform local program planning for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health used self-reported data from a public health center population to examine the prevalence of benefits used to purchase soda. We performed statistical analyses, including multivariable regression modeling, using data from a local health and nutrition examination survey. The survey response rate was 69% (n=1,503). More than one-third of survey participants reported receiving, or living in a household where someone receives, nutrition assistance benefits. When asked, 33% (n=170) reported using these benefits to purchase soda "sometimes" and 18% (n=91) reported "often" or "always," suggesting that the use of program benefits to purchase soda was not uncommon in this subpopulation. These findings have meaningful policy and planning implications, as they contribute to ongoing dialogue about strategies for optimizing nutrition among SNAP recipients.
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention, Los Angeles, CA.
Noel
N
Barragan
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention, Los Angeles, CA.
Lauren
L
Gase
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention, Los Angeles, CA.
Rebecca
R
Butler
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Office of Health Assessment and Epidemiology, Los Angeles, CA.
Lisa
L
Smith
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention, Los Angeles, CA.
Paul
P
Simon
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention, Los Angeles, CA.
Tony
T
Kuo
D015992:Body Mass Index; D002253:Carbonated Beverages / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D063105:Food Assistance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D015141:Los Angeles; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors