Some programs and policies have failed to show consistent results. But the good news is that others are quite effective at improving early childhood health. The most successful include the (WIC), universal immunization, and high-quality, center-based early childhood care and education. Economic analyses reveal that these programs' benefits outweigh their costs, suggesting that public spending to support them is more than justified.
Low vegetable consumption and limited variety were also seen among WIC participants and non-participants aged 6 months to 4 years prior to changes in the WIC food package. Increasing children's consumption of all vegetables should continue to be a focus going forward.
Barriers include biological and behavioral issues relating to infant and child development, household- and family-related barriers, obstacles in the larger community, economic limitations, and some government policies and programs. These barriers must be removed to encourage children to eat more vegetables.
Data indicate that children with high food insecurity consumed fewer vegetables, and that physical activity is significantly related to fruit and vegetable intake.
Food insecurity and SNAP/WIC participation were not associated with meeting recommendations, but those reporting ≥ 1 chronic disease were more likely to meet SSB recommendations. Odds of achieving SSB but not water recommendations were greater among individuals with a chronic disease.
Support policies that seek to reduce the consumption of fruit juice and promote the consumption of whole fruit by toddlers and young children (eg, child care/preschools) already exposed to juices, including through the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), provided that those policies do not have negative nutritional consequences (ie, inadequate total calories, absence of any fruit in the diet) for children without access to fresh fruit.”
Pilot quality improvement intervention did not create sustainable change and did not improve eating or physical activity behaviors in WIC mothers
Receipt of an unconditional prenatal income supplement was associated with positive outcomes. Placing conditions on income supplements may not be necessary to promote prenatal and perinatal health.
The intervention program was successful and used texting and online support groups for women. The programs accesibility, relatability and knowledge were listed as the positive elements while confusion about the programs role, limited hours, funding and in person contact was listed as limitations.
Mothers enrolled in WIC had access to the 18-30 week intervention program. The intervention group was more likely to meet their breastfeeding goals (however the sample was small n-50).
