Store owners experienced implementation challenges, but felt the changes increased the number of customers, sales, and profits.
Prices were higher in rural areas than in urban areas for 2 key foods, fruits and milk ; non-border vendors had overall better food availability than border vendors; non-border vendors had better accessibility for fruits than border vendors
The most common barriers were transportation issues, not knowing the locations of markets and low access. The women were wanted more information on which markets accepted vouchers, the safety of farmers market vegetables and benefits of buying fruits and vegetables from farmers markets.
Among children, differences were found for fruit consumption but not vegetable. Urban children were offered and consumed a greater variety of F&V. Mothers' F&V intake was related to age, pregnancy status, and breastfeeding status.
Those who received the nutrition education had a higher voucher recommendation and higher knowledge of farmers market FNV options.
A high prevalence of food insecurity was determined (61%) and was associated with American Indian ethnicity, lower educational level, single adult households, WIC participation, and urban settings (p = 0.05).
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
Neighborhood social cohesion is associated with child neglect, but not abuse. In examining the relationship with specific types of abuse and neglect, it was found that neighborhood social cohesion may have a protective role in some acts of neglect, such as meeting a child's basic needs, but not potentially more complex needs like parental substance abuse.
This pilot study documents the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a behavioral weight-loss intervention in postpartum, urban-based African American women with perinatal obesity. Study participants favorably received the intervention
