Rural SNAP Participants and Food Insecurity: How Can Communities Leverage Resources to Meet the Growing Food Insecurity Status of Rural and Low-Income Residents?

Emily Dewitt,Rachel Gillespie,Kathryn M Cardarelli,Alison Gustafson,Heather Norman-Burgdolf,Stacey Slone

doi:10.3390/ijerph17176037

Emily Dewitt, Rachel Gillespie + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17176037

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Abstract

The burden of obesity disproportionately influences poor health outcomes in rural communities in the United States. Various social and environmental factors contribute to inadequate food access and availability in rural areas, influencing dietary intakes and food insecurity rates. This study aims to identify patterns related to food insecurity and fruit and vegetable consumption within a SNAP-eligible and low-income, highly obese rural Appalachian community. A prospective cohort was implemented to identify gaps in resources addressing obesity and food insecurity challenges. SAS 9.4 software was used to examine differences in dietary intakes and shopping practices among SNAP participants. Among participants (n = 152), most reported an annual household income less than USD 20,000 (n = 90, 60.4%), 29.1% reported food insecurity, and 39.5% reported receiving SNAP benefits within the last month. The overall mean FV intake was 3.46 daily servings (95% CI: 3.06–3.91) among all participants. SNAP participation was associated with food insecurity (p = 0.007) and those participating in SNAP were two times more likely to report being food insecure (OR = 2.707, 95% CI: 1.317, 5.563), relative to non-participants. These findings further depict the need for intervention, as the burden of food insecurity persists. Tailoring health-promoting initiatives to consider rurality and SNAP participation is vital for sustainable success among these populations.

Highlights

The burden of obesity and related chronic diseases disproportionately affects rural communities in the United States (U.S.) more so than their urban counterparts [1]
This study aims to identify patterns related to fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption and food access within a SNAP-eligible and low-income, highly obese rural Appalachian county in Kentucky
Access to healthy foods, such as FV, must be a grounding consideration of obesity prevention efforts within disadvantaged communities such as those found in rural Appalachia

Summary

Introduction

The burden of obesity and related chronic diseases disproportionately affects rural communities in the United States (U.S.) more so than their urban counterparts [1]. Theories of social disorganization suggest that the intersection between community structure, such as poverty, socioeconomic status (SES), and residential instability, can result in a void of health promoting culture, infrastructure, and efficacy [2,3]. Previous insights have shown disparaging differences between urban and rural areas on mortality, chronic disease, and screening rates [3,4]. The degree of rurality among geographic areas throughout the U.S influences the numerous barriers rural communities face and, their morbidity and mortality rates. Res. Public Health 2020, 17, 6037; doi:10.3390/ijerph17176037 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph

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