title: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Food Insecurity, Dietary Quality, and Obesity Among U.S. Adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We examined whether Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participation changes associations between food insecurity, dietary quality, and weight among US adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analyzed adult dietary intake data (n = 8333) from the 2003 to 2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Bivariate and multivariable methods assessed associations of SNAP participation and 4 levels of food security with diet and weight. Measures of dietary quality were the Healthy Eating Index 2010, total caloric intake, empty calories, and solid fat; weight measures were body mass index (BMI), overweight, and obesity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  SNAP participants with marginal food security had lower BMI (1.83 kg/m2; P < .01) and lower probability of obesity (9 percentage points; P < .05). SNAP participants with marginal (3.46 points; P < .01), low (1.98 points; P < .05), and very low (3.84 points; P < .01) food security had better diets, as illustrated by the Healthy Eating Index. Associations between SNAP participation and improved diet and weight were stronger among Whites than Blacks and Hispanics.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our research highlights the role of SNAP in helping individuals who are at risk for food insecurity to obtain a healthier diet and better weight status.
authors.affiliation: Binh T. Nguyen and Kerem Shuval are with the Intramural Research Department, Economic and Health Policy Research Program, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, GA. Farryl Bertmann is a public health nutrition and dietetics research consultant, South Hero, VT. Amy L. Yaroch is with the Gretchen Swanson Center for Nutrition, Omaha, NE.
authors.forename: Binh T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.forename: Kerem
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shuval
authors.forename: Farryl
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bertmann
authors.forename: Amy L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Yaroch
mesh_terms: D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D063105:Food Assistance / Q000592:standards*; D005523:Food Supply; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology