Title:

Assessment of SNAP-Ed Indicators in Pell-Grant Recipients

Objectives: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) is the largest community nutrition program in the United States. Although previously inaccessible to college students, proposed legislation will extend SNAP-Ed eligibility to college campuses, specifically to Pell Grant recipients. This study assessed the opportunity for intervention in Pell Grant students in SNAP-Ed’s three priority areas: 1) Healthy Eating, 2) Physical Activity, and 3) Food Resource Management. Methods: Data were collected from 2015-21 as part of an ongoing, cross-sectional study at the University of New Hampshire. Participants completed a three-day nutrient analysis and an online survey with items related to physical activity and the Eating Competence Satter Inventory (ecSI 2.0™). Participants (n=645) with missing data were excluded from the analysis. Data were used to calculate a modified Healthy Eating Index (HEI), equivalent minutes of moderate and vigorous physical activity (emPA), and eating competence scores (ecSI), and then compared to recommended scores (>80, >150, >32, respectively). ecSI subscales were also calculated and proportioned to the total ecSI score (48). Results: In the final sample, the mean HEI score (63.0±12.7) fell within the “Needs Improvement” range; 9.0% scored “Good” while 91.0% scored below the recommended score (76.2% "Needs Improvement"; 14.8% "Poor"). The mean EMPA (846.4±819.5) surpassed the recommended range of 150-300 minutes; Only 13.3% were below activity recommendations. The mean ecSI (33.1±8.6) was above the eating competent threshold (32); 42.7% did not meet eating competent standards. Within ecSI subscales, Food Acceptance (28.0.±13.3) was lower than Contextual Skills (33.8±10.5), Eating Attitudes (34.8±10.4), and Food Regulation (34.3±11.3). Conclusions: Students varied in reaching recommendations of SNAP-Ed's three priority areas with Healthy Eating offering the greatest opportunity for intervention. Our findings may help agencies develop and adapt SNAP-Ed curriculum for Pell Grant-eligible college students and tailor materials according to the greatest areas of need.

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