The Impact of Policy Changes on Milk and Beverage Consumption of Texas WIC Children

Abstract

Major changes in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) food packages that were implemented in 2009 included reductions in the amount of milk and 100% juices, as well as the removal of whole milk from food packages. In analyzing the effect of these changes on the beverage consumption of Texas WIC children ages two to four, we found a significant decrease in the amount of whole milk consumed, and this decrease was partially offset by the increase in the amount of lower-fat milks consumed. Intakes of both desirable and undesirable nutrients from milk were decreased.

The Impact of the 2009 WIC Food Package Revision on Participants’ Food and Beverage Purchases

“…They found that the revision was associated with healthier eating patterns including increased frequencies of fruit, vegetable, whole grain and reduced-/low-fat milk consumption. The authors later conducted a similar analysis for Texas WIC children aged 2 to 4 (Ishdorj and Capps 2017). They found the amount of reduced/low-fat milk increased to partially offset the reduction in whole milk.…”