A descriptive study was conducted comparing anthropometric measures and dietary intake of food stamp recipients (FS) and non-food stamp recipients (NFS). Volunteers (328) were recruited from the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program, or adult education, vocational rehabilitation, or Department of Social Services programs. For purposes of this study subjects less than 18 years of age (n=16), subjects with incomes that exceeded food stamp eligibility guidelines (n=98), and subjects reporting no income and living with family (n=6) were excluded from data analysis leaving a total of 208 subjects. One-hundred-fifty-one reported receiving food stamps and 57 reported not receiving food stamps. Mean percent body fat and body mass index (BMI) were in the overweight or obese categories for both groups (33+/-9% and 32+/-8%; 32.1+/-10 and 30+/-8, respectively). Food intake data were compared to the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) and Food Guide Pyramid categories. Mean intakes for energy were below 100% of RDA for all subjects. FS recipients reported significantly higher energy intake from fat, 37%+/-10% vs 34%+/-9%, p<0.05 and protein, 16%+/- 6% vs 14%+/-5%, p<0.01, and significantly lower energy intake from carbohydrate, 47%+/-11% vs 53%+/-11%. FS recipients reported higher intakes of vitamin B12 and zinc, p=<0.01, and lower intakes of folic acid, p<0.05. Intakes of vitamin D and calcium were below two-thirds of the RDA for both groups. When compared to Food Guide Pyramid categories, food intake data indicated neither group met the Healthy People 2000 objective of eating >=5 fruits and vegetables per day. The low-income women in the present study were overweight and had inadequate intakes regardless of whether or not they received food stamp benefits.