American adults eligible for the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program consume more sugary beverages than ineligible adults

•There is debate about whether SSBs should be allowable purchases with SNAP benefits.•Adults eligible for SNAP benefits consume more SSBs than ineligible adults.•Low-income adults typically consume high levels of SSBs, regardless of SNAP status.

BackgroundThere is considerable debate about whether sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) should be allowable purchases with benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).PurposeTo examine national patterns in adult consumption of SSBs by SNAP eligibility.MethodsCross-sectional analysis of 24-hour dietary recall data obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003-2010 (N = 17,198), analyzed in 2013.ResultsIn 2003-2010, 65% of adults receiving SNAP consumed SSBs, averaging 307 cal daily, and 74 g of sugar. Compared to adults ineligible for SNAP, adults receiving SNAP consumed a higher percentage of SSBs (65% vs. 59%, p < 0.001), more calories from SSB per capita (210 kcal vs. 175 kcal, p = 0.001), and more daily calories from SSBs among drinkers (307 kcal vs. 278 kcal, p = 0.008). Overall, per capita consumption from SSBs was highest among adults receiving SNAP (210 kcal, 9% total daily intake), followed by adults eligible but not participating in SNAP (192 kcal, 8% total daily intake) - both of which had significantly higher SSB consumption than ineligible adults (175 kcal, 8% total daily intake) (p < 0.05).ConclusionAdults eligible for SNAP benefits consume more SSBs than ineligible adults.