Summary Among the nutrition assistance programs available to low-income families, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is the only one that specifically targets the nutritional […]
Abstract Background: A recent report of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) outlined priority nutrients for infants and children participating in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for […]
Abstract We present a protocol for a study investigating the effect of food price changes on purchasing decisions among individuals participating in federal food assistance programs and among those not […]
Abstract Introduction: The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides monthly food packages to low-income children (aged 1–4 years) in the U.S., including 128 ounces of […]
Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), the author investigated whether older age-ineligible children are healthier in households where siblings are receiving WIC benefits. The results showed that age-ineligible males in WIC households had better health than those in non-WIC households.
This study assessed the impact of WIC services on improving birth outcomes and reducing racial disparities. Results showed that the infant mortality rate (IMR) was lower for WIC participants than for non-WIC participants. For African Americans, the IMR of WIC participants was much lower than that of non-WIC participants. For whites, IMR and preterm birth rates were not improved by WIC participation.
This research explored the associations between childhood morbidities among income-eligible and categorically eligible WIC participant and non-WIC participant groups in a diverse, nationally representative sample of children. According to the results, no significant differences were noted between child WIC participants and non-WIC participants in the following areas: asthma, respiratory illness, severe gastrointestinal illness, or ear infection diagnosis.
The objective of this study was to assess the association between length of prenatal participation in the WIC Program and a marker of infant morbidity. The researchers found that the risks of delivering a small for gestational age, very preterm, or late preterm infant significantly decreased with WIC participation for a small dose response relationship.
This study evaluated risk factors associated with anemia and iron deficiency in a sample of children participating in or applying for WIC. The results revealed that current child WIC participation and maternal WIC participation during pregnancy were negatively associated with anemia and iron deficiency.
The researchers examines the relationship between WIC and Food Stamp Program participation on young children's health and mistreatment outcomes. Their analysis used a unique individual-level longitudinal database that linked administrative datasets on WIC and Food Stamp Program participation, Medicaid enrollment and claims, and child abuse and neglect reports in Illinois. Based on the findings, receiving WIC benefits and Food Stamps, jointly or alone, was associated with less child abuse and neglect; was inversely related to the incidence of health problems among low-income children; and was associated with lower risk of being diagnosed with anemia, failure to thrive, and other nutritional deficiencies. For several outcome measures, stronger associations were found among study participants enrolled in WIC.
