Are SNAP recipients fatter?

[Woodznutz]

I posed this question actually knowing what the answer was going to be. Of course they're fatter. Why wouldn't they be?


Yes, SNAP recipients are more likely to be obese than similar-income nonrecipients. Studies have shown that SNAP benefits, which are often associated with increased food consumption, do not necessarily lead to healthier diets. In fact, some research indicates that SNAP recipients may consume more unhealthy foods, including sugary drinks and processed meats, than those without assistance. This suggests that while SNAP provides food assistance, it may not effectively promote healthier eating habits among its participants.
Cato Institute+1

https://www.cato.org/blog/snap-obesity

 

[Cassandro]

SNAP is a cash giveaway program disguised as nutritional assistance.

 

[Darkwind]

SNAP is a cash giveaway program disguised as nutritional assistance.

Let Me correct you.

SNAP is a vote purchasing program disguised as nutritional assistance.

 

[toobfreak]

I posed this question actually knowing what the answer was going to be. Of course they're fatter. Why wouldn't they be?

The point of SNAP is assistance in buying food for those living under the poverty level. There is no promise that you will eat healthy. Regular working people don't eat healthy.

Our country promotes and is full of junk food, the only way to "eat healthy" in America is to actively select, buy, grow and cook all your own food or eat out at a good restaurant every day. Eating healthy is actually expensive, more expensive than eating junk. Buying quality ingredients like organic stuff, etc., is out of the price range for people in poverty.

Many people are on SNAP because they are sick and disabled. This tends to make them overweight as they don't get much activity. Many of them suffer metabolic diseases which adds to their obesity.

So, Woodz, it would be a fallacy of reason to assume that if data shows SNAP people tend to weigh more, it is because they are hogging out on HoHos and Twinkies.

Sugar is in most everything. Cola is just about the cheapest beverage one can buy. Even most all fruit juice is sweetened. With $100, you can buy a lot more gallons of cola than you can fruit juice, teas, coffee, or what ever other beverage you can think of. Further, if the objection to cola is the sugar in it, what of unsweetened cola with artificial sweeteners? What about juices, ice cream, cake, dessert, pies, or any of the other myriad things with sugar in them? Are you going to ban it all?

The sad fact is that too many SNAP people are obese simply because the same condition that disabled them and made them inactive and obese put them on SNAP, then add to that that SNAP does not afford them enough money to eat well usually (unless they have four kids), leaving many of them eating more junk and processed food that they can afford.

So again, you'd be better to blame the PROGRAM and the GOVERNMENT, than to blame poor, sick, or disabled people forced onto SNAP.

 

[Mack The Finger]

I've never seen a thin one.

 

[jotathought]

When junk food and sugary drinks make up ~25% of the spent budget .. you're not going to get the nutritious cornerstone of beneficiaries.

 

[braalian]

its kind of a "chicken or the egg?" scenario

poor people tend to have higher obesity rates regardless of whether or not they're on SNAP benefits

But, by definition, all SNAP recipients are poor. Doesn't necessarily mean they're fat because they're on SNAP

Correlation doesn't automatically mean causation

 

[SweetSue92]

its kind of a "chicken or the egg?" scenario

poor people tend to have higher obesity rates regardless of whether or not they're on SNAP benefits

But, by definition, all SNAP recipients are poor. Doesn't necessarily mean they're fat because they're on SNAP

Correlation doesn't automatically mean causation

I'm also guessing that making exercise a regular routine is tied to socioeconomic status. More educated, wealthier people seem to be the ones who exercise more.

 

[initforme]

I just dont consider snap benefits any kind of issue. Big whoop people get some $ to eat.

 

[Muhammed]

When people are on a low budget, they tend to avoid perishables in order to eliminate the risk of waste. Then in order to accept SNAP payments, shop owners have to carry perishables. That makes no ******* sense.

 

[Woodznutz]

The point of SNAP is assistance in buying food for those living under the poverty level. There is no promise that you will eat healthy. Regular working people don't eat healthy.

Our country promotes and is full of junk food, the only way to "eat healthy" in America is to actively select, buy, grow and cook all your own food or eat out at a good restaurant every day. Eating healthy is actually expensive, more expensive than eating junk. Buying quality ingredients like organic stuff, etc., is out of the price range for people in poverty.

Many people are on SNAP because they are sick and disabled. This tends to make them overweight as they don't get much activity. Many of them suffer metabolic diseases which adds to their obesity.

So, Woodz, it would be a fallacy of reason to assume that if data shows SNAP people tend to weigh more, it is because they are hogging out on HoHos and Twinkies.

Sugar is in most everything. Cola is just about the cheapest beverage one can buy. Even most all fruit juice is sweetened. With $100, you can buy a lot more gallons of cola than you can fruit juice, teas, coffee, or what ever other beverage you can think of. Further, if the objection to cola is the sugar in it, what of unsweetened cola with artificial sweeteners? What about juices, ice cream, cake, dessert, pies, or any of the other myriad things with sugar in them? Are you going to ban it all?

The sad fact is that too many SNAP people are obese simply because the same condition that disabled them and made them inactive and obese put them on SNAP, then add to that that SNAP does not afford them enough money to eat well usually (unless they have four kids), leaving many of them eating more junk and processed food that they can afford.

So again, you'd be better to blame the PROGRAM and the GOVERNMENT, than to blame poor, sick, or disabled people forced onto SNAP.

While it's true that one can buy more junk food than healthy food with the same amount of money, if one doesn't overeat a healthy diet is actually cheaper than an unhealthy one. We need to shop for nutrition, not just taste and calories.

 

[Woodznutz]

its kind of a "chicken or the egg?" scenario

poor people tend to have higher obesity rates regardless of whether or not they're on SNAP benefits

But, by definition, all SNAP recipients are poor. Doesn't necessarily mean they're fat because they're on SNAP

Correlation doesn't automatically mean causation

The point is that if it's free, you splurge (pig out). Many SNAP recipients also receive free or supplemented medical care, so they aren't terribly concerned about their health.

 

[Woodznutz]

When people are on a low budget, they tend to avoid perishables in order to eliminate the risk of waste. Then in order to accept SNAP payments, shop owners have to carry perishables. That makes no ******* sense.

SNAP shoppers buy pretty much the same foods, and junk foods, that others buy.

 

[Woodznutz]

I just dont consider snap benefits any kind of issue. Big whoop people get some $ to eat.

There's a bit more to it than that. Many SNAP recipients have their hands in your pocket for other things besides food. Consider that when a criminal is arrested for a 'certain' crime often many other crimes seem to decline in the neighborhood.

 

[toobfreak]

While it's true that one can buy more junk food than healthy food with the same amount of money,

Bingo. Now if you were dependent on SNAP and SNAP typically only pays a fraction of one's food bill unless you're on welfare with 4 kids, then don't you think people would tend to go with what buys them more?

if one doesn't overeat a healthy diet is actually cheaper than an unhealthy one. We need to shop for nutrition, not just taste and calories.

You could say that about anyone. Everyone. Thing is, a lot of people on SNAP are not good cooks with excellent kitchens, and we are hit with junk food ads and eating every 20 seconds, so I kinda get why more people prefer a big plate of lasagna over one with nothing but a few broccoli and brussel sprouts drizzled in a little soy butter.

 

[Woodznutz]

Bingo. Now if you were dependent on SNAP and SNAP typically only pays a fraction of one's food bill unless you're on welfare with 4 kids, then don't you think people would tend to go with what buys them more?

That "fraction" is calculated at about 70 percent for one receiving the maximum benefit.

You could say that about anyone. Everyone. Thing is, a lot of people on SNAP are not good cooks with excellent kitchens, and we are hit with junk food ads and eating every 20 seconds, so I kinda get why more people prefer a big plate of lasagna over one with nothing but a few broccoli and brussel sprouts drizzled in a little soy butter.

Traditional foods such as meat, dairy products, eggs and whole grain foods form the basis of a healthy and affordable diet. Fruits and vegetables in moderation are also affordable. Popcorn is a nutritious whole grain that is very cheap and can replace the more expensive snacks.

 

[toobfreak]

Traditional foods such as meat, dairy products, eggs and whole grain foods form the basis of a healthy and affordable diet. Fruits and vegetables in moderation are also affordable. Popcorn is a nutritious whole grain that is very cheap and can replace the more expensive snacks.

So what? Why argue it with me? Who are you trying to convince? All I'm saying is that if these things are healthy, then most everyone should be eating that way, not just SNAP people.

 

[Woodznutz]

So what? Why argue it with me? Who are you trying to convince? All I'm saying is that if these things are healthy, then most everyone should be eating that way, not just SNAP people.

My position is inarguable.

 

[Woodznutz]

It is also interesting that in the majority of articles and videos about the SNAP program shoppers are almost always pictured shopping in the produce aisle, where the most expensive and least nutritious per dollar foods are located. Meat, dairy, and egg displays are rarely shown. This is the USDA's and other conspirators' way of subtly directing SNAP customers to the most expensive foods, for the benefit of the growers of those products. Nutrition per food dollar is of no interest to them as the program provides a rich harvest for them by overfunding the SNAP recipients.

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[Woodznutz]

I'm also guessing that making exercise a regular routine is tied to socioeconomic status. More educated, wealthier people seem to be the ones who exercise more.

I think that people on any kind of welfare have other things to worry about beside their health. Eating (overeating) gives a sense of security for them, even if it actually harms their health.