The National WIC Evaluation: evaluation of the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children. VI. Study of infants and children

Abstract

The major associations with the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) in preschool children were better dietary intake associated with current WIC participation, especially for Fe, vitamin A, and vitamin C, but there were no increases in energy intake and, after infancy, no residual benefits from past WIC participation; strongest dietary effects among children who were poor, black, or in single-parent or large families (children lost to WIC were as needy as those currently enrolled); shorter stature, suggesting effective targeting (with enrollment in utero there was no parallel deficit in head circumference, which is consistent with results for newborns); better immunization and more frequent regular source of health care but no more frequent use of preventive health services; and better vocabulary with WIC participation begun in utero; better digit memory with entry into the program after the first birthday (differences that emerged only after statistical adjustment for sociodemographic factors); and more advantageous child behavior (NS).

Revised WIC Food Package and Children’s Diet Quality

“…4,10,[12][13][14] It has been shown that WIC participation is associated with better nutrient intake among preschool-aged children compared with their peers who are also from low-income households. [20][21][22] In this analysis, children in WIC households between 2003 and 2008 had a diet quality score that was higher than that of their peers by >2 points.…”

Socioeconomic disadvantage and child morbidity: An Australian longitudinal study

“…The WIC program is focused more narrowly on pregnant women living in poverty and the post-natal period. Again, the results of evaluations are encouraging, suggesting that nutritional supplements and other aspects of the program have been able to improve pregnancy outcomes (reduce prematurity and low birthweight) and improve the health and nutritional status of the children of these mothers [54,55]. The major concern associated with both these programs is that the benefits sometimes disappear once the program is no longer active.…”

School Readiness

“…[34][35][36] Food supplement programs, such as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, have been shown to reduce rates of low birth weight 37 and iron deficiency. [38][39][40] Children attending schools with school nutrition programs have improved scores on standardized academic tests. 41 Home visiting by nurses has been shown consistently to reduce rates of childhood injury, to increase fathers' involvement, to reduce family welfare dependency, and to improve school readiness.…”