Health Impacts

Infant Mortality and Race in Kansas: Associations with Women, Infants, and Children Services

Differences in education levels between mothers affected infant mortality to a greater degree than WIC program participation alone in the analysis. The infant mortality rate for black and Hispanic mothers was lower for WIC program participants. The WIC program may be beneficial for reducing infant mortality racial disparities but program participation should be expanded to affect maternal health disparities at the population level

Can Targeted Transfers Improve Birth Outcomes? Evidence from the Introduction of the WIC Program

Our preferred estimates suggest that WIC initiation raised average birth weight by 2 g, or by 7 g among infants born to mothers with low education levels. These translate into estimated birth weight increases among participating mothers of approximately 18 to 29 g.

Predictors of Obesity in a Cohort of Children Enrolled in WIC as Infants and Retained to 3 Years of Age

Substitution of flavored milk has the potential to reduce energy and total and saturated fat intake with no impact on diet costs or micronutrient density.

Trends in Severe Obesity Among 23 Million U.S. Children Aged 2–4 Years Who Enrolled in WIC — United States, 2000–2014

During 2000-2004 prevalence of severe obesity increased overall. During 2004-2010 prevalence decreased signficiantly overal - the largest annual decreases occured in Asians, Pacific Islanders and American Indian/Alaska Native populations

Implementation of best practices in obesity prevention care facilities: The Arizona Empower Program, 2013-2015

In an evaluation of the Arizona Empower Program, participating facilities, majority completed partial implementation with most sites conducting staff training and only 44% reporting full implementation of a breastfeeding friendly environment.

The Role of WIC in Obesity Prevention

Given the setup of the WIC program, it has the potential to greatly influence obesity prevention measures for women and children across the United States.

Childhood Obesity Prevention in the Women, Infants, and Children Program: Outcomes of the MA-CORD Study

Among children enrolled in WIC, the intervention was associated with reduced prevalence of obesity risk factors in both intervention communities and a small improvement in BMI z scores in one of two intervention communities in non-Asian children.

Effect of an Internet-Based Program on Weight Loss for Low-Income Postpartum Women A Randomized Clinical Trial

Among low-income postpartum women, an internet-based weight loss program plus the WIC program compared with the WIC program alone resulted in significantly greater weight loss over 12 months.

Healthful, Cultural Foods and Safety Net Use Among Cambodian and Brazilian Immigrant Communities in Massachusetts.

Cambodian families in MA were more likely to use WIC than Brazilian immigrant families

Interventions for Childhood Obesity in the First 1,000 Days A Systematic Review

Effective interventions focused on individual- or family-level behavior changes through home visits, individual counseling or group sessions in clinical settings, a combination of home and group visits in a community setting, and using hydrolyzed protein formula. Protein-enriched formula increased childhood obesity risk. Majority are conducted in clinical settings, and few target early-life systems and policies that may impact childhood obesity.