USDA Publications Inadequate

The United States Department of Agriculture releases a series of pamphlets to poor people, detailing how they can get enough to eat, boost their nutrition, and apply for food stamps. A recent study found that these booklets are poorly written, aren't aimed at their target audience, and don't reach 40% of those who need them.

In 2004, 38 million people, including 13.9 million children, couldn't afford nutritionally balanced meals -- often because they either cut portion sizes, or simply weren't able to eat three meals a day. The ineffectiveness of these USDA pamphlets is an additional burden to escaping the food insecurity felt by those only tight budgets.

The study, conducted by the Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center, will be released in the January/February issue of the "American Journal of Health Promotion."