New Study Demonstrates the Long-Term Benefits of the Food Stamp Program on Children

A new study conducted at the Population Studies Center at the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research has found that supplemental food initiatives like Food Stamps have a positive long-term impact on children. And the benefits go far beyond simply reducing hunger.

The researchers followed 17.5 million children born in the United States between 1950 and 1980, including those born before, during, and after the Food Stamp program was created. They then compared the life experiences of those that had access to the federal Food Stamp program, now called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program [SNAP], and those that didn't.

U. of Michigan: "These outcomes were evaluated in six ways: by individuals’ level of educational and professional attainment, or human capital index; their economic self-sufficiency measured by their participation in the labor force and level of need for government assistance; the quality of their neighborhoods ascertained by value of home, gross rent and home or apartment ownership; their physical ability and health; incarceration rates; and their survival to year 2012."

The results of the comparison were astounding. By every measure, access to an adequate diet as children positively impacted the lives of SNAP recipients.

U. of Michigan: "It found that children with greater access to economic resources before age 5 experience a significant increase in their adult education, are more likely to be economically self-sufficient in adulthood, live in a higher-quality neighborhood as adults, and are less likely to be incarcerated. Individuals with access to Food Stamps as children also live longer."

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By: Don Lam & Curated Content