Children's Consumption of WIC-Approved Foods

Abstract

The WIC program offers supplemental foods to low-income women, infants, and children. This study compared consumption patterns of WIC children with those of three different comparison groups: eligible nonparticipating children living in non-WIC households, eligible nonparticipating children living in WIC households, and children living in households whose income is too high to be eligible for WIC. The study provides strong evidence that participation in the WIC program increases consumption of at least some types of WIC-approved foods. Although WIC-participating children consumed significantly more calories from WIC-approved foods than children in the two comparison groups of eligible nonparticipants, there was no significant difference in total calories consumed. The results suggest that WIC foods replace non-WIC foods in the diets of children participating in WIC rather than adding to their food consumption. This is the first study to examine in detail children's consumption of WIC-approved foods by WIC status. Understanding WIC's effect on the consumption of foods contained in the WIC food packages can help inform decisions on possible changes to the packages.

Intent vs. Implementation—Food Allocation to Adult Males in WIC Households

“…There were no detectable differences in sugar intake between children on WIC and their non-WIC, income-eligible counterparts. An earlier study [8] found that children in WIC households, whether direct participants or not, consumed more of certain WIC foods than children in non-WIC households (whether income-eligible or not). This study found increased calorie intake from WIC foods, but not significant differences in calorie intake overall.…”

Essays on food assistance program participation and demand for food

“…Table 2.3 contains the description of WIC-approved milk and cheese selected for the analysis. We followed closely the selection of WIC-approved foods done by Oliveira and Chandran (2005). Consumption of milk and cheese is analyzed regardless of whether the food was actually purchased through WIC.…”

“…There is a well established literature on the effect of WIC participation on health and nutrient intake of infants, toddlers and children Oliveira and Gundersen, 2000;Ponza, et al 2004;Rose, et al 1998;Siega-Riz, et al 2004;Oliveira and Chandran, 2005). Considerable work has also been done to evaluate the effect of the WIC participation on pregnant women (Kowaleski-Jones andDuncan, 2002, Bitler andCurrie, 2005).…”

“…Considerable work has also been done to evaluate the effect of the WIC participation on pregnant women (Kowaleski-Jones andDuncan, 2002, Bitler andCurrie, 2005). Oliveira and Chandran (2005) find that participation in the WIC program increases the consumption for at least some types of WIC-approved foods for children participating in the WIC program compared to eligible nonparticipating children living in non-WIC households, eligible nonparticipating children living in WIC households, and children living in households with income too high to be eligible for WIC (income greater than 185% of the poverty threshold).…”

“…An important problem faced in evaluating the effect of the WIC program on dietary intakes is that the receipt of program foods by the WIC-recipient may change the consumption of foods by non-targeted individuals within the household. This has been referred to as "spillover" (Oliveira and Chandran 2005) or "leakage" of benefits. As Oliveira and Chandran note, this might be done if 1) receipt of WIC benefits frees up food dollars for use to benefit other, nonparticipating children; 2) nutrition education changes food selection for all members; and 3) WIC foods are shared with non-WIC household members.…”