WIC Infant and Toddler Feeding Practices Study: protocol design and implementation

Abstract

The federal Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), which began in the 1970s, has undergone revisions in the past several years, including revision to contents of the supplemental food "packages" in 2009 based on recommendations provided by an Institute of Medicine (IOM) committee of The National Academies. In 2010, the IOM held a workshop to examine and recommend research priorities for the program. The overall purpose of the current (ie, second) WIC Infant and Toddler Feeding Practices Study (ITFPS-2) is to conduct a nationally representative, longitudinal study of contemporary WIC infant and toddler feeding practices. This study will update earlier studies and collect information on variations in WIC program components. The study will also assess ways in which WIC may address obesity in early childhood and examine changes in feeding practices that may stem from the 2009 food package revisions. The sample is drawn from the universe of WIC sites nationally, excluding only those with an insufficient volume of eligible participants. Eligibility for the study includes the ability to be interviewed in English or Spanish. Approximately 8000 women and infants are being sampled, and ∼ 4000 are expected to participate. Eligible women are invited to participate during their WIC enrollment visit, and informed consent is sought. The design includes a core sample to be followed until the infant reaches age 2 y and a supplemental sample to be used in some cross-sectional analyses to ensure adequate representation of groups that might be underrepresented in the core sample. Participants will complete up to 11 interviews (core sample) or 4 interviews (supplemental sample) each except for the prenatal interview, which includes a quantitative 24-h recall of food intake for the infant. Eighty sites have been sampled across 26 states and 1 territory. Instruments have been developed and pretested in both English and Spanish, and interviewers have been rigorously trained. Recruitment and interviewing began in July 2013. This study will provide the only current large-sample longitudinal feeding data available on a nationally representative sample of infants in low-income families, and results will be available to inform the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans for the 0- to 24-mo age group.

Racial and Ethnic Differences in Reasons for Breastfeeding Cessation Among Women Participating in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children

“…This national survey was designed to measure feeding practices used by women and other caregivers of children participating in WIC and to assess the child's nutritional outcomes during the first 6 years of life. The goal of the parent study was to update the existing body of knowledge regarding infant and toddler feeding practices and behaviors for the WIC population . This is the most recent longitudinal data for the WIC population since the WIC Infant Feeding Practices Study, which was conducted in 1994 and 1995.…”

“…The goal of the parent study was to update the existing body of knowledge regarding infant and toddler feeding practices and behaviors for the WIC population. 8 This is the most recent longitudinal data for the WIC population since the WIC Infant Feeding Practices Study, which was conducted in 1994 and 1995. Hence, it is the most recent data set available specifically for this population and reflects important changes in policies, practices, and education relative to infant feeding that have occurred since the last survey.…”

“…Participation in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) has been found to be associated with early discontinuation of breastfeeding . WIC is a federal food assistance program that targets low‐income, nutritionally at‐risk women and children aged 0 to 5 years in the United States, and more than 50% of US infants are served by WIC . The program provides supplemental foods, education, and counseling as well as screening and referrals to other health care professionals.…”

“…7 WIC is a federal food assistance program that targets lowincome, nutritionally at-risk women and children aged 0 to 5 years in the United States, and more than 50% of US infants are served by WIC. 8 The program provides supplemental foods, education, and counseling as well as screening and referrals to other health care professionals. National breastfeeding rates among WIC participants in 2017 were 32% (13% fully and 19% partially breastfeeding, based on WIC ✦ Sociodemographic variables were explored as predictors of common reasons for breastfeeding cessation across 3 racial and ethnic groups.…”

Maternal Nutrition and Pregnancy Outcome—A Look Back

“…34 The Institute of Medicine, National Academy of Sciences, has further recommended including the following food components: vitamin CYrich fruits and vegetables; milk or milk alternatives with 2% fat or less; iron-fortified, whole-grain bread or options; and meat alternatives (eggs, dried beans, or peanut butter). 35 Since 1974, the WIC Program has been evaluated numerous times to determine its effectiveness in improving maternal health and birth outcomes. The Table summarizes the most notable studies.…”