Obesity affects more than 40% in Louisiana, Oklahoma, and West Virginia in 2022
In 2022, more than 40% of Louisiana, Oklahoma, and West Virginia residents reported obesity to the CDC. This condition carries significant risks, including heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and cancer. Over the years, the Louisiana Department of Health and medical professionals have worked tirelessly to address this epidemic, and now a state representative is seeking support from the U.S. Congress to strengthen these initiatives.
Troy Romero, a Republican state representative from Jeff Davis Parish, proposed resolution HCR105, which seeks to remove certain food products from the list eligible for purchase with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
The resolution highlights that the USDA allows the purchase of high-fat and unhealthy foods with funds distributed to SNAP recipients, while recognizing the Louisiana Greaux to Good program, which encourages the purchase of more fruits and vegetables. Fresh and less processed foods are recognized as superior options for weight management compared to their prepackaged counterparts.
Currently, SNAP benefits exclude the purchase of alcoholic beverages, tobacco and most hot prepared foods, such as those in restaurants. However, the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 allows for the purchase of products such as candy, cakes, chips and soft drinks.
SNAP is federally funded, but is administered by the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services. House Concurrent Resolution 105 (HCR105) requests that Congress grant a waiver to the state to ban unhealthy foods. In order for the request to be sent to Washington, HCR105 would need approval from both houses of the Louisiana Legislature.
The resolution does not specify which foods specifically would be removed from the list, but does say, «…the Department of Children and Family Services will work with medical professionals and nutrition experts to determine which foods to remove from the list of approved foods to promote the health of children and families receiving SNAP benefits.»
The request may come to Washington, D.C. in due course. Earlier this year, Rep. Andy Harris, R-Maryland, proposed asking states to limit SNAP purchases to «only nutrient-rich foods and beverages.» His reasoning is the same as Rep. Romero’s: to combat obesity. In other words, fatty, unhealthy foods.
Nearly 400,000 households in Louisiana received SNAP benefits in 2022, with an average payment of $500 per family. The June 2022 figures, according to PAR , had been reduced at that time to near pre-pandemic levels.