The results for early introduction of solid foods indicated that Hispanic mothers in WIC are less likely to introduce solid food early and add cereal to a baby’s bottle.
Breastfeeding initiation, breastfeeding duration, age of introduction of complementary foods, and exposures to baby food fruits, vegetables, and meats among infants did not improve after the package changes. Significantly fewer infants received cereal in their bottles and fewer toddlers consumed vegetables and eggs after the package changes.
Issuance rates of the "fully breastfeeding" package at infant WIC enrollment increased by 86% with the package changes. Rates also increased significantly for 2- and 6-month-old infants. Issuance rates of packages that included formula decreased significantly.
The new food package can improve breastfeeding outcomes in a population at high risk for negative breastfeeding outcomes.
Factors predisposing to lower BF rates include non-Hispanic ethnicity, obesity, depression, younger age, or an incomplete high school education.
About 74 % of all WIC mothers initiated breastfeeding. Urban women who were Hispanic, aged 18-19, high school graduates, household income >$10,000/year, and started early prenatal care were more likely to breastfeed. Urban and rural women who were non-Hispanic black with some high school education were less likely to breastfeed.
The following characteristics were associated with reduced odds of smoking 3 months prior to pregnancy: being 17 years old or younger, Hispanic, a high school graduate, urban location, normal body mass index, no live births prior to current pregnancy, and using multi-vitamins. Results from this study indicate that the WIC population in rural areas may have different needs regarding smoking cessation programming than the urban WIC population
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
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.
The article discusses gestational weight gain (GWG) in Mexican American women in Los Angeles, California; efforts to prevent excessive GWG; and tables showing biological, sociocultural, and behavioral characteristics by GWG
