USDA nutrition research summary

Check out this link to a recent ERS report on a summary or nutrition related research projects. The 52 page report hits a number of hot topics (and more than a few obscure ones) in nutrition research. The summary touches on immigrants and obesity and focuses heavily on food environment and food security among lower income population groups.

One study assesses how doable it is for Food Stamp recipients to meet the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. From the study:

The total cost of the Penn State menus was $117.01 ± $11.79 (mean ± standard deviation) for week one and $112.19 ± $11.44 for week two. These average costs were 54 percent and 47 percent more than the average food stamp benefits received, respectively. However, note that these menus do not meet the food recommendations of the 2005 DGA.

TK: The federal government needs to do more to allow Food Stamp and WIC participants to secure better nutrition in their diet. Speaking of WIC, the USDA had earlier said that September was a target date for the WIC rule on fruit and vegetable vouchers. Let's hope that timeline isn't slipping....