Electronic Publications from the Food Assistance & Nutrition Research Program No. (EFAN-04014-1) 396 pp

December 2004

Nutrition and Health Characteristics of Low-Income Populations: Volume I, Food Stamp Program Participants and Nonparticipants

by Biing-Hwan Lin

Data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES-III), conducted in 1988-94, were used to compare the nutrition and health characteristics of participants and nonparticipants in the Food Stamp Program (FSP). FSP participants were compared with two groups of nonparticipants-those who were income-eligible for the FSP (income at or below 130 percent of poverty) and those with higher incomes (income above 130 percent of poverty). This research was designed to establish a baseline from which to monitor the nutritional and health characteristics of FSP participants and nonparticipants over time.

Keywords: Food Stamp Program, FSP, food assistance, program nonparticipants, nutrition and health outcomes, Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, NHANES-III, low-income populations, Food Assistance and Nutrition Research Program

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