(P16-003-25) Impact of SNAP-Ed Interventions: Direct Education Versus Combined Direct Education and Policy, Systems, and Environmental Changes

Objectives: To identify and compare the available evidence related to the effectiveness of SNAP-Ed interventions delivered using direct education (DE) versus combination of DE and policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) changes among low-income people in the US.

Methods: A review of SNAP-Ed interventions from the SNAP-Ed Library (2004–2024) was conducted, and peer-reviewed publications related to these interventions were searched in Google Scholar and PubMed. The interventions focused on improving healthy eating behavior, obesity prevention strategies, and reducing the risk of diet-related diseases. We examined differences in intervention-type (DE vs. DE+PSE) outcomes by intention to change behavior (short-term), impact outcomes (medium-term), sustained behavior change (long-term), and reduction in disparities compared with the general population (population results).

Results: A total of 55 SNAP-Ed interventions were included. Of those included, 34 used DE, and 21 used DE+PSE. DE interventions mostly targeted individuals and DE+PSE interventions included institutions and other sectors of influence. Most interventions examined outcomes over multiple time frames. The DE interventions evaluated short- and medium-term (n=23), medium- and long-term (n=4), or short to long-term behavior change (n=6). The DE+PSE interventions evaluated outcomes in the short- and medium-term (n=7), medium- and long-term (n=5), or from short- to long-term behavior change (n=9) and, population health impact (n=1). Across DE and DE+PSE types, interventions showed increased awareness and knowledge of nutrition information that supports healthy weight, dietary, and physical activity behaviors. Both intervention types improved participants’ readiness, willingness, and confidence and improved dietary and physical activity behaviors over time. Combining DE+PSE aided the sustainability of outcomes. One DE+PSE intervention showed that participants could maintain a healthy weight for up to 7 years after the intervention.

Conclusions: Combining DE+PSE approaches shows greater potential for sustaining long-term behavior change among participants highlighting the added value of integrating PSE strategies into SNAP-Ed interventions.

Funding Sources: Funded by USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) through the PA Department of Human Services (DHS).