Revisiting the SNAP Cycle of Food Intake: Investigation Heterogeneity and Diet Quality

Previous research, using data from 1989-91, found that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients experienced a decline in caloric intake at the end of the benefit month. This study uses data from the 2007-10 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to revisit the question of cyclic dietary intake and quality. Identification of the effect of time since benefits were received is achieved by exploiting the across and within-state variation in distribution of SNAP benefit each month, as well as exogenous variation in NHANES interview dates. Adults and children are considered separately to test for heterogeneity in the relationship between time since benefits were received and food intake. Other subgroups are also examined.