The Influence of Nutrition Assistance Program Participation in Childhood on Improved Young-Adult Food Security

Noura Insolera , University of Michigan
Julia Wolfson, University of Michigan
Alicia Cohen, University of Michigan

This study examines SNAP and WIC participation during childhood and food insecurity risk in young adulthood. Data come from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics and its Original Childhood Development Supplement. Our balanced panel (n=1,279) is comprised of individuals who were 2-12 years old in 1997, had data on SNAP and income from 1984-2015, food insecurity data in 1999 and 2015, and were living independently by 2015. We use logistic models with sample, cluster, and strata weights to generate nationally representative results. We find statistically significant associations of SNAP participation during early and late childhood on improved food security during young adulthood (2.34 and 2.64 odds respectively) as compared to low-income family units without SNAP. We also find that participating in both SNAP and WIC in early childhood statistically significantly increases the odds of improved food security (4.45 odds) as compared to low-income family units without SNAP or WIC.

See extended abstract

 Presented in Session 2. Children & Youth