325474
Exploring the relationship between food label use and household availability of beverages in a sample of low-income mothers participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
Karina Lora, PhD,
Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK
Susan Sisson, PhD,
Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK
Michael Anderson, PhD,
Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK
Allen Knehans, PhD,
Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK
Introduction: Food label use is associated with the intake of nutritious foods; however, information regarding the relationship between food label use and participation in food assistance programs is limited. The study assessed whether participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) was associated with using food labels to purchase beverages, and whether home availability of beverages differs by SNAP participation.Methods: Cross-sectional survey study with 250 low-income mothers of preschool children. Data were collected in child care centers. Participants provided information on food label use to purchase beverages and home availability of fruit juice (FJ), sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) and low-caloric beverages. Multivariable logistic regression tested the effect of SNAP participation on food label use; iteratively reweighted least squares regression tested differences in home availability of beverages by SNAP participation. Results: SNAP participants were ~50% less likely to use the food label to purchase beverages than non-participants, (adjusted odds ratio= 0.51, 95% confidence interval = 0.26, 0.98), P= .04. SNAP homes had significantly higher availability of FJ (192 oz vs. 128 oz), juice drinks (192 oz vs. 128 oz), regular soda (156 oz vs. 135 oz), and low-calorie beverages (469 oz vs. 243 oz) than non-SNAP homes, P≤ .05. Discussion and conclusions: SNAP participation was associated with lower odds of using the food label to purchase beverages. Compared to non-SNAP homes, SNAP homes had higher availability of FJ and SSB. Research is needed to understand the attitudes and group-specific characteristics associated with food label use and beverage availability among low-income families.
Learning Areas:
Diversity and culture
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Social and behavioral sciences
Learning Objectives:
Discuss food label use to select foods among low-income groups.
Identify types of sugar-sweetened beverages highly available in homes of SNAP participants.
Discuss approaches to support health literacy among low-income groups with a view towards healthy food choices.
Keyword(s): Nutrition, Underserved Populations
Presenting author's disclosure statement:Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have an extensive background in the area of public health nutrition.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines,
and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed
in my presentation.
