The authors analyzed multiple years of cross-sectional data to understand trends in the relationship between food assistance program participation and body weight. High rates of overweight and obesity among low-income populations in the US had raised questions about whether federal food and nutrition assistance programs contributed to the problem. To examine this possibility, the study investigated (1) the extent to which overweight and obesity had increased over time for food and nutrition assistance recipients (focusing on the Food Stamp Program and WIC) and (2) the degree to which increases might simply have mirrored national trends in overweight and obesity.
As obesity has come to the forefront of public health concerns, there is growing interest in finding ways to guide consumers’ food choices to be more beneficial for their long-term health. About one in five Americans participates in at least one nutrition assistance program sponsored by the USDA. The researchers used behavioral economics, food marketing, and psychology to identify possible options for improving the diets and health of participants in the Food Stamp Program, the WIC Program, and the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs.
The purpose of this study was to help determine material for developing a childhood obesity prevention program for multi-ethnic parents. researchers concluded that intervention components should focus on parent self-efficacy and incorporate themes specific for ethnic groups. The authors also suggested that there was a need for culturally sensitive health and nutrition information.
The purpose of this study was to determine whether greater nutrition knowledge or gains in knowledge promoted more successful weight loss in low-income overweight and obese mothers with young children. The findings revealed that participants with overall greater knowledge lost the most weight.
The purposes of this study were to test (1) whether increased fruit juice intake and parental restriction of a child's eating were associated with increased adiposity and (2) whether nutrition counseling reduced adiposity gain in a population of WIC children ages 1 to 4 in New York State. Results indicated that children who were already overweight or at risk of becoming overweight who increased their fruit juice intake were associated with excess weight gain. These findings supported the Institute of Medicine recommendation to reduce juice intake in overweight and at-risk children.
The purpose of this study was to assess the attitudes, perceptions, and practices of WIC staff in Virginia, in educating WIC participants about topics related to childhood overweight. WIC staff reported a lack of comfort, practice, and confidence in addressing childhood overweight. researchers concluded that staff training, health promotion programs, and culturally relevant educational materials would help staff become knowledgeable and promote self-efficacy about childhood overweight-related topics.
This study investigated the associations between demographic, consumption, and activity variables and being overweight or at risk of becoming overweight for 2- to 4-year-olds enrolled in the WIC Program. The researchers found that 38% of the children were overweight or at risk of becoming overweight. Furthermore, race and ethnicity, increased non-juice drink consumption, and low levels of physical activity were associated with being overweight or at risk of becoming overweight.
The researchers; goal was to determine trends in the relationship between overweight and socioeconomic status (SES), using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). According to the findings, the relationship between overweight and SES varied by race, sex, and age. In addition, the overall relationship between overweight and SES weakened over time. researchers concluded that interventions should also target race, not just SES.
The purpose of the study was (1) to assess whether predictors of fat intake behavior were the same for normal-weight and obese WIC mothers, when applying the PRECEDE-PROCEED Model, and (2) to identify predictors for each group. researchers found that fat intake behavior differed between the normal-weight and the obese groups and that different messages were more likely to affect normal-weight or obese women. For example, obese women were more likely to be affected by information about the cost and accessibility of food and the time to prepare it.
The purposes of this study were (1) to understand perceived benefits and barriers related to weight loss in a group of overweight/obese postpartum WIC moms and (2) to identify intervention measures that the WIC Program could implement. researchers identified lack of support and finances, as well as low self-esteem, as barriers to weight loss. They concluded that a support group approach within a weight loss program would be beneficial.
