Moderation of the relation of county-level cost of living to nutrition by the supplemental nutrition assistance program

S. Basu, C. Wimer and H. Seligman

American Journal of Public Health, 2016, vol. 106, issue 11, 2064-2070

Abstract: Objectives. To examine the association of county-level cost of living with nutrition among low-income Americans. Methods. We used the National Household Food Acquisition and Purchase Survey (2012-2013; n = 14 313; including 5414 persons in households participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program [SNAP]) to examine associations between county-level cost-of-living metrics and both food acquisitions and the Healthy Eating Index, with control for individual-, household-, and county-level covariates and accounting for unmeasured confounders influencing both area of living and food acquisition. Results. Living in a higher-cost county-particularly one with high rent costs-was associated with significantly lower volume of acquired vegetables, fruits, and whole grains; greater volume of acquired refined grains, fats and oils, and added sugars; and an 11% lower Healthy Eating Index score. Participation in SNAP was associated with nutritional improvements among persons living in higher-cost counties. Conclusions. Living in a higher-cost county (particularly with high rent costs) is associated with poorer nutrition among low-income Americans, and SNAP may mitigate the negative nutritional impact of high cost of living.

Keywords: adult; catering service; cost; demography; diet; economics; female; food assistance; human; male; middle aged; statistics and numerical data, Adult; Costs and Cost Analysis; Diet; Female; Food Assistance; Food Supply; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Residence Characteristics (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2016.303439_0

DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2016.303439

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