Food stamps make women fatter

Women on food stamp programs weigh an average of almost six pounds more than those who aren't, and gained weight faster when on food stamps than when they were not.  Those are the findings of a research study pubished in the current editon of the journal Economics and Human Biology.

The researchers used data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, which has questioned the same group of randomly selected Americans since 1979. Their study was of 4000 people on food stamps from 1989 to 2002 compared to 6000 who were not. Even after the various controls, the link between food stamp use and higher weight remained clear, especially for women.  There was no significant difference for men.

“We can’t prove that the Food Stamp Program causes weight gain, but this study suggests a strong linkage,” said Jay Zagorsky, co-author of the study and a research scientist at Ohio State University’s Center for Human Resource Research.

“While food stamps may help fight hunger, they may have the unintended consequence of encouraging weight gain among women.”

How Do Food Stamps Encourage Weight Gain?

The study did not go into causes, but the researchers noted that the average benefit was $81 per month per person.  That amount of money can buy far more calorie-dense, high fat processed food than fresh fruit and vegetables.  In some urban areas, the opportunity to buy fresh, unprocessed food is almost eliminated as grocery stores have fled urban centers. 

Some poor may not have access to transportation, refrigeration, or even adequate cooking facilities in order to buy whole food ingredients to cook for themselves. For these people, processed foods that don't need refrigeration, preparation or cooking are their only option.  For others, it is simply the most convenient option.

Zagorsky suggests policymakers should aim at changing the types of food that program participants purchase. Requiring education on nutrition is one option. A discount or additional benefit dollars for purchasing fresh fruit and vegetables is another suggestion for an incentive. “Modifying the Food Stamp Program to include economic incentives to eat healthier might be an important tool for fighting obesity,” Zagorsky said.

Obesity has further costs to society, as it contributes to developing type 2 diabetes and exacerbates other chronic diseases.

Many Farmers Markets Take Food Stamps

Many farmers markets participate in food stamp programs.  Those wishing to use the Oregon Trail card or the Washington EBT card can check in at the information booth of the farmers market and receive tokens to use to purchase produce from the vendors.