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Can access to restaurant meals under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program lead to obesity?

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  • Jamal, Ayesha

Abstract

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) makes an exception to its rules, which allows elderly and/or disabled individuals, their spouses, as well as homeless beneficiaries, to buy hot prepared food from restaurants if they live in a state that participates in the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP). Using the staggered countywide adoption timeline in California, coupled with a stacked difference-in-differences empirical strategy, I examine the intent-to-treat (ITT) nutritional effects of RMP on the elderly population. Overall, I find no evidence that obesity rates for the elderly are any different in counties with RMP versus those without RMP. I can statistically rule out moderate effects. Additional evidence from some of the early-adopting counties suggests that RMP is associated with a reduction in food insecurity among the elderly.

Suggested Citation

  • Jamal, Ayesha, 2025. "Can access to restaurant meals under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program lead to obesity?," Agricultural and Resource Economics Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 54(1), pages 85-108, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:agrerw:v:54:y:2025:i:1:p:85-108_5
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