Study: 4 in 10 Americans on food stamps are obese

[Chef Ramsay]

More than 46 million Americans are on food stamps — officially known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)  — and 4 in 10 of them are obese, according to a study just put out by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The study analyzed National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data from 2007-2010, looking at the eating habits of SNAP recipients and comparing them with those of people who qualified for the benefits but did not take them and those who did not qualify. It found that SNAP recipients were more likely to be overweight and obese than the other two groups. On average, households received $275 in SNAP benefits per month (or $133 per person).

According to the study, among all Americans, 29 percent are overweight and 31 percent are obese. But 40 percent of SNAP recipients were found to be obese. And adult SNAP recipients were less likely to have a healthy weight than non-recipients, and were more likely to be obese.

More...https://personalliberty.com/4-in-10-americans-on-food-stamps-are-obese/

[solstoce]

Gas station/ mini Mart food is very unhealthy.

[Chef Ramsay]

Gas station/ mini Mart food is very unhealthy.

True but food stamps come on a debit card these days and no longer the paper, embarrassing food stamps like they were when I worked the register over ten years ago. And, you can buy whatever you want at the supermarket including alcohol, tobacco and all the carb foods you can imagine. You can also use them at casinos and strip joints just to complete the picture. In full, those at the lower end of the spectrum, both financially and intelligently, tend to purchase garbage foods w/ free money that is rebooted every month ad infinitum. Nothing else going on in your life or you're on alleged hard times, comfort food is at your finger tips.

[Beliathon]

Poverty and obesity have always been strongly correlated, this is not news.

[Chef Ramsay]

Poverty and obesity have always been strongly correlated, this is not news.

Not necessarily, places like Africa and North Korea (among others) would beg to differ. However, I would presume that those outside the US would be shocked by the sheer numbers of people on the dole in such an alleged free and prosperous country, plus the resulting irresponsibility of said people. Getting a quick meal for the family at the local fast food joint on the dollar menu is part of the problem as well. Furthermore, me and my extended family and friends that are footing the bill for this, in addition to many other similar dynamics across the country, are appalled by this when we keep decent health and weight yet those we're forced to 'help' do not.

[saddampbuh]

do you expect them to eat steak and boiled vegetables every day on that money? quality foods are expensive, foods high in sugar and fat tend to be cheaper, its not rocket science

[shogdite]

Gas station/ mini Mart food is very unhealthy.

True but food stamps come on a debit card these days and no longer the paper, embarrassing food stamps like they were when I worked the register over ten years ago. And, you can buy whatever you want at the supermarket including alcohol, tobacco and all the carb foods you can imagine. You can also use them at casinos and strip joints just to complete the picture. In full, those at the lower end of the spectrum, both financially and intelligently, tend to purchase garbage foods w/ free money that is rebooted every month ad infinitum. Nothing else going on in your life or you're on alleged hard times, comfort food is at your finger tips.

Here in the UK for me that sounds crazy!

Food stamps now on a debit card that is good but then you get to being able to buy, alcohol, tobacco, using them in the strip clubs and casino's are you for real? Never heard anything as fkd up as that before. Unbelievable no wonder the obesity rate is threw the roof!  

These same people who are getting guided to destroying their bodies don't have healthcare or very standard at best, seems like a set up to me to get rid of the poor sooner but that is another thread and discussion.

Thanks for sharing OP I am going to look into this crazy business

[bryant.coleman]

Poverty and obesity have always been strongly correlated, this is not news.

Don't think so. For example, healthy food items such as salad greens and fruits are much less expensive when compared to the fatty red-meat food. But I never see "poor" people taking them. They almost seems to be addicted to Kentucky Fried Chicken and McDonalds.

[saddampbuh]

Don't think so. For example, healthy food items such as salad greens and fruits are much less expensive when compared to the fatty red-meat food. But I never see "poor" people taking them. They almost seems to be addicted to Kentucky Fried Chicken and McDonalds.

salad greens arent filling, you can easily eat £5 worth and still feel hungry, a box of unhealthy sugary cereal will last you a couple of days

i get that people are annoyed their taxes are used fund poor people but you should really be asking why people in work need their incomes supplemented with welfare. most people on food stamps have jobs before anyone asks.

[Sutters Mill]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obesity_in_the_United_States

A high percentage of Americans are already obese so this isn't surprising.

Gas station/ mini Mart food is very unhealthy.

True but food stamps come on a debit card these days and no longer the paper, embarrassing food stamps like they were when I worked the register over ten years ago. And, you can buy whatever you want at the supermarket including alcohol, tobacco and all the carb foods you can imagine. You can also use them at casinos and strip joints just to complete the picture. In full, those at the lower end of the spectrum, both financially and intelligently, tend to purchase garbage foods w/ free money that is rebooted every month ad infinitum. Nothing else going on in your life or you're on alleged hard times, comfort food is at your finger tips.

This can't be true that people can spend them on cigarettes etc? Seems bizarre it wouldn't be restricted to actual food or household items.

Poverty and obesity have always been strongly correlated, this is not news.

Exactly what I was going to say. Crappy unnutritious food is always far cheaper than healthy food and high sugar/salt makes them addictive. There's also a lack of education about a healthy diet that is often a big factor (though this isn't just limited to the states but many countries worldwide).

[toddtervy]

Americans love they food.

[bryant.coleman]

Don't think so. For example, healthy food items such as salad greens and fruits are much less expensive when compared to the fatty red-meat food. But I never see "poor" people taking them. They almost seems to be addicted to Kentucky Fried Chicken and McDonalds.

salad greens arent filling, you can easily eat £5 worth and still feel hungry, a box of unhealthy sugary cereal will last you a couple of days

Unfortunately that is true. But even if some tasteless healthy food is available for lower prices when compared to tasty, but unhealthy food, I don't think it will attract a large number of people. 90% of the people will put their preference for taste.

i get that people are annoyed their taxes are used fund poor people but you should really be asking why people in work need their incomes supplemented with welfare. most people on food stamps have jobs before anyone asks.

Poor people need jobs, not food coupons. By giving food coupons, we are eliminating the need for a job, thereby turning hardworking people to lazy individuals.

[saddampbuh]

Unfortunately that is true. But even if some tasteless healthy food is available for lower prices when compared to tasty, but unhealthy food, I don't think it will attract a large number of people. 90% of the people will put their preference for taste.

if they were living on mcdonalds and burger king i'd agree but those foods are expensive too. its more likely to be cheap sugary carb based products from supermarkets like biscuits and cereals that are making them fat and unhealthy.

when i was on the dole i couldn't dream of being able to afford a fast food restaurant, and that was pre-recession times, you get even less money now

Poor people need jobs, not food coupons. By giving food coupons, we are eliminating the need for a job, thereby turning hardworking people to lazy individuals.

the majority of food stamps recipients already have jobs. i think you mentioned somewhere you were from the uk and our tax credits (a euphemism for a form of welfare for the in work) might be the closest thing to this. if you have kids and work a normal job you pretty much automatically qualify for it because the government assumes a regular job wont pay you enough to survive on.

http://www.hungercoalition.org/food-stamp-myths
FACT: The overwhelming majority of SNAP recipients who can work do so.  According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, "Among SNAP households with at least one working-age, non-disabled adult, more than half work while receiving SNAP—and more than 80 percent work in the year prior to or the year after receiving SNAP. The rates are even higher for families with children—more than 60 percent work while receiving SNAP, and almost 90 percent work in the prior or subsequent year."

[SOAD]

Poverty and obesity have always been strongly correlated, this is not news.

Don't think so. For example, healthy food items such as salad greens and fruits are much less expensive when compared to the fatty red-meat food. But I never see "poor" people taking them. They almost seems to be addicted to Kentucky Fried Chicken and McDonalds.

I don't know where you live but that's not true in my country. There are lots of reasons why poor people flock to fast food or less nutritious food and it's not just because of the price. A salad or plate of veg isn't going to fill most people for a start, but there's a convenience with fast food or food you can just stick in the microwave or oven. Food low in salt and sugar just doesn't give your brain the same kick as 'healthy' food either so its easy to crave sugary/salty stuff which is what usually happens.

[RodeoX]

68.8 percent of American adults are considered to be overweight or obese. So what we are saying is that those who use food stamps are generally thinner than the norm.

[saddampbuh]

68.8 percent of American adults are considered to be overweight or obese. So what we are saying is that those who use food stamps are generally thinner than the norm.

obese and overweight are different, of course there are going to be more obese and overweight people if you count them together than just obese people by themselves

if that didnt make sense, everyone who is obese is overweight but not every overweight person is obese

[RodeoX]

68.8 percent of American adults are considered to be overweight or obese. So what we are saying is that those who use food stamps are generally thinner than the norm.

obese and overweight are different, of course there are going to be more obese and overweight people if you count them together than just obese people by themselves

if that didnt make sense, everyone who is obese is overweight but not every overweight person is obese

That is right. Let me correct that to clinical obesity. That comes to 35.7% of Americans. Slightly less than the food stamp sample, but certainly comparable.  About the same as the rate for rural Americans, which is 39%.

[Beliathon]

Poverty and obesity have always been strongly correlated, this is not news.

Not necessarily, places like Africa

Study: 4 in 10 Americans on food stamps are obese

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