This study examines the relationship among WIC participation, family stressors, and health risks. researchers found that participating in the WIC Program attenuated, but did not eliminate, child health risks associated with family stressors.
The researchers studied the association between women's and children's duration of WIC participation and household food security status. Their results showed that among those with initial household food insecurity with hunger, an additional WIC visit reduced the odds of any household food insecurity and of household food insecurity with hunger at the last visit. Earlier and longer WIC participation might improve household food security status, particularly of vulnerable groups.
This study compared consumption patterns of WIC children with those of three different comparison groups: eligible non-participating children living in non-WIC households, eligible non-participating children living in WIC households, and children living in households whose income was too high to be eligible for WIC. The study provided strong evidence that participation in the WIC Program increased consumption of at least some types of WIC-approved foods.
The purpose of the study was to evaluate nutrient, food intake, and snacking behavior by participation in the WIC Program. The findings showed that WIC had a beneficial effect on the intake of fat, carbohydrates, added sugar, and fruit from the total diet, as well as on added sugar from snacks.
The researchers examines associations between WIC participation and indicators of underweight, overweight, length, caregiver-perceived health, and household food security among infants ages 12 months or younger, at six urban hospitals and clinics. Results showed that of the eligible families not receiving WIC assistance, 64% reported access problems, and 36% denied a need for WIC. Families who were not receiving WIC because of access problems were more likely to have underweight infants and experience food insecurity.
The goal of the study was to determine whether interactive multimedia was a more effective method than pamphlets, for delivering food safety education to the WIC Program participants. The researchers concluded that the interactive multimedia was well accepted and resulted in improved self-reported food safety practices, suggesting that interactive multimedia was an effective option for food safety education in WIC clinics.
The purpose of this paper was to summarize evaluations of indicators of dietary risk that determine eligibility, nutrition education, and nutrition counseling within the WIC Program. The author suggested the use of statistical procedures to better understand error rates and misclassifications at the population and individual levels, followed by the development and incorporation of new, more accurate indicators.
In this study, a written questionnaire was used to assess the opportunities and challenges of delivering; food safety education within WIC. The sample included directors and health professionals with nutrition counseling responsibilities in 79 WIC clinics in a midwestern state.
This study identified barriers that deterred parents/caretakers of infants and children enrolled in the WIC Program from taking full advantage of the services provided by the program. Waiting too long was the most frequently cited barrier (48%). Difficulties in bringing the infant/child to recertify and rescheduling appointments were key variables associated with failure to use (i.e., pick up or cash) WIC checks.
The authors examines the impact of the WIC Program on birth outcomes. They found that rather than affecting average outcomes, WIC was more effective in reducing the probability of high-risk births, for example, very premature and low-birth weight babies. The potential benefits of the WIC Program can be realized by enhancing its focus on more disadvantaged mothers.
