Keywords

body mass index, food stamps, resource cycle, welfare reform

 

Authors

  1. Condrasky, Margaret EdD, RD
  2. Marsh, Janet G. H. PhD

Abstract

Two rounds of interviews were conducted with low-income women in 3 Upstate rural South Carolina counties to address the concept of welfare reform and the effect on women's lives. Interviews were conducted at the beginning and end of a resource cycle in 2001 and 2003 on general well-being, food security, and nutrition status. Nutritional status was assessed at the first interview through height, weight, and body mass index as well as 24-hour recall. The data indicate very little difference between food stamp and non-food stamp participants. Both groups consumed diets that were less than adequate. Statistically the body mass index did not change.