Abstract
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)-Ed Toolkit includes a set of interventions to increase the fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption of SNAP-eligible households on a limited budget. It is unclear how the interventions affect dietary choices in local populations. This study combines detailed local data with an agent-based model (ABM) to assess the potential cost-effectiveness of scaling up the SNAP-Ed Toolkit interventions in 13 selected metro-Atlanta counties in Georgia. The ABM drew insights from prior research on healthy eating choices and was empirically validated. The model predicted the actual FV consumption levels (R2=0.951, P<0.001). If the interventions could successfully enhance community healthy eating norms by 10% and 20%, they would significantly increase FV consumption. The cost per year to bring one person to consume at least two servings of FV daily) was $23 (95% confidence interval [CI]: $18 - $29), and $10 (95% CI: $9 - $12) in each scenario.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 571-582 |
| Number of pages | 12 |
| Journal | Simulation Series |
| Volume | 53 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| Publication status | Published - 2021 |
| Externally published | Yes |
| Event | 2021 Annual Modeling and Simulation Conference, ANNSIM 2021 - Virtual, Online Duration: 19 Jul 2021 → 22 Jul 2021 |
Keywords
- Agent-based model
- Cost analysis
- Health behaviors
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Computer Networks and Communications
