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. 2017 May;34(3):219-228.
doi: 10.1111/phn.12311. Epub 2017 Jan 12.

The Role of SNAP in Home Food Availability and Dietary Intake among WIC Participants Facing Unstable Housing

Meg Bruening  1 , Darya McClain  2 , Michael Moramarco  2 , Elizabeth Reifsnider  2
Affiliations

The Role of SNAP in Home Food Availability and Dietary Intake among WIC Participants Facing Unstable Housing

Meg Bruening et al. Public Health Nurs. 2017 May.

Abstract

Objective: Little nutrition research has been conducted among families with unstable housing. The objective of this study was to examine the role of food stamps (i.e., Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; SNAP) in home food availability and dietary intake among WIC families who experienced unstable housing.

Design and sample: Cross-sectional study among vulnerable families. Low-income, multiethnic families with children participating in WIC (n = 54).

Measures: Dietary intake was assessed with 24-hr recalls. Home food availability was assessed with an adapted home food inventory for low-income, multiethnic families. Validation results from adapted home food inventory for these families are also reported.

Results: SNAP households had more foods than non-SNAP households; few significant associations were observed between food availability and child dietary intake.

Conclusions: With few exceptions, the home food environment was not related to children's dietary intake among these vulnerable families. More research is needed on food access for families facing unstable housing.

Keywords: diet; food insecurity; maternal-child health; minority health; nutrition; unstable housing.

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