Whenever Republicans talk about trimming the federal food stamp program, Democrats decry them as cold, heartless or worse. But new research shows that cutting food stamps could actually make the country healthier.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture looked at data from 2007 through 2010, then compared average weights of those on food stamps — officially called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — to those who weren't.
The findings, released on Tuesday, are striking. Food stamp recipients are far more likely to be obese than poor people who are eligible but don't take the help. And they're even more likely to be obese than those with higher incomes.
Fully 40% of food stamp recipients are obese, the study found, compared with just over 30% of those who don't participate in the program.
Children of families on food stamps were also more likely to be obese than children in the other two groups, as were older adults.
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| Obese woman says she is fat because of the govt |
At the other end of the scale, there was almost no difference among these three groups in terms of the share who were underweight — all were in the low single digits.
This isn't the first time that this correlation has been found. The Washington Post noted a couple years ago that obesity rates in a Texas county where 40% were on food stamps was double the national average.
Why these puzzling results? Aren't food stamps supposed to be for those living on the edge of starvation?Read the rest of the story HERE.
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6 comments:
Fresh fruits and vegetables are actually more expensive than junk food and boxed food mixes. I had to increase my grocery budget when I decided to start eating healthier. Don't get me wrong, there could possibly be some people that need to be cut off from food stamps, but cutting them from food stamps isn't going to make them healthier.
More than one-third (35.7 percent) of ALL adults are considered to be obese. More than 1 in 20 (6.3 percent) have extreme obesity. Almost 3 in 4 men (74 percent) are considered to be overweight or obese. The prevalence of obesity is similar for both men and women (about 36 percent).
Make food stamps valid for the outer aisles. Simple solution. Fresh fruit, veg, meats, dairy, whole grains. No junk food, no soda. Food stamps should be for nutritionally necessary items.
How much should poor people weigh?
The fatter you get....the less you can do. Can't move...can't work. Need more aid. Eat, drink and be obese on the taxpayers generosity. Great idea.
yes because A (as others have said) fresh foods are more expensive than cheap ones.. when you have to feed yourself on $5 a day Ramen goes a long way to filling you up for less.... also *many* people on food stamps not only work but often work more than 1 job, it's just easier to deal with a 5 min pack of ramen mixed with a little tuna for protein than try to prep and cook a meal. Never been on food stamps but I have worked more than one job before and despite the fact that you know it's not healthy the exhaustion drives one to doing whatever is easiest *and* cheapest
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