Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 21, 2025

Concept Development and Use of an Automated Food Intake and Eating Behavior Assessment Method
Published on: February 19, 2021
Household Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Participation is Associated With Higher Fruit and Vegetable
Amy Saxe-Custack1, Jenny LaChance2, Mona Hanna-Attisha3
1Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Division of Public Health, Michigan State University-Hurley Children's Hospital Pediatric Public Health Initiative, Flint, MI.
Objective:
Examine whether differences were present by Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participation in dietary patterns, achievement of dietary recommendations, and food security for children (aged 7-18 years) receiving free/reduced-price school meals.
Methods:
Cross-sectional study. Caregiver-child dyads at a pediatric clinic completed validated surveys. Food security, dietary patterns, and achievement of dietary recommendations were compared between child SNAP participants/nonparticipants.
Results:
Among 205 caregivers, 128 (62.4%) reported SNAP participation. Percentages of child SNAP participants/nonparticipants meeting recommendations were largely nonsignificantly different and overwhelmingly low. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participants reported higher mean daily servings of vegetables (P = 0.01) and fruits (P = 0.01) than nonparticipants. Caregiver-reported household food security was not significantly different between SNAP participants and nonparticipants (P = 0.44).
Conclusions And Implications:
In this study, child-reported fruit/vegetable intakes were significantly higher among SNAP participants than nonparticipants, suggesting child SNAP participants may experience small but noteworthy benefits related to fruit/vegetable consumption. Additional supports are needed to achieve dietary recommendations.
Related Concept Videos
Dietary Connections
Lifestyle Factors and Health
Benefits of Physical Activity
Physical activity, whether through structured exercise or casual activities like walking, biking, or dancing, is a cornerstone of a...
Self-Schemas
Cancer Prevention
Some...
Regulation of Food Intake
Parentral Nutrition: Centeral and Peripheral Parental Nutrition
PN can be administered through two primary routes:
1. Central Parenteral Nutrition (CPN):
CPN involves delivering a high concentration of nutrients through a large vein. This is typically achieved using a Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) or,...

