WIC Research, Policy and Practice Hub WIC Research, Policy and Practice Hub

Geography: New York

Improving Client Provider Communication: Evaluation of a Training Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Professionals in New York State

This study evaluated an intensive 1-day training program to improve the growth monitoring counseling skills of WIC providers.  The researchers; patient-centered approach focused on a seven-step technique that emphasized eliciting the clients perspective on the child's health and negotiating follow-up strategies. Study results suggested that counseling skills of non-physician health providers could change after a 1-day focused training: Providers were more client centered in their discussions. Limitations and implications of the study were also discussed.

Factors Associated with Underimmunization at 3 Months of Age in Four Medically Underserved Areas

This study examines coverage rates and factors associated with underimmunization at 3 months of age in four medically underserved areas. Vaccination coverage levels at 3 months of age varied across sites: They were 82.4% in northern Manhattan, 70.5% in Detroit, 82.3% in San Diego, and 75.8% in rural Colorado. Among children who were not up to date, the majority (65.7% to 71.5%, per site) had not received vaccines because of missed opportunities.

Evidence of the Adoption and Implementation of a Statewide Childhood Obesity Prevention Initiative in the New York State WIC Program: The “NY Fit WIC” Process Evaluation

The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which NY Fit WIC, a childhood obesity prevention initiative, was adopted and implemented by the New York State WIC Program. All agencies carried out a variety of activities. The researchers suggested that given a very strong adoption of the program, an outcome evaluation was warranted, to help determine behavior change.

Early Onset of Overweight and Obesity Among Low-Income 1- to 5-year-olds in New York City

The purposes of this study were to assess prevalence of overweight and obesity among urban 1- to 5-year-olds and estimate risk by age and gender. The results showed that significant increases in overweight and obesity occurred between ages 1 and 3. And, more than half of the urban children were overweight or obese by age 5. Furthermore, boys were more likely to be obese than were girls. Based on their findings, the researchers recommended that obesity prevention interventions should be targeted to children between the ages of 1 and 3.

Fruit Juice Intake Predicts Increased Adiposity Gain in Children from Low-Income Families: Weight Status-by-Environment Interaction

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.

Childhood Overweight in a New York City WIC Population

The researchers estimated the prevalence of overweight in a population of young children enrolled in a New York City WIC Program. The findings showed that 40% of the children were overweight or at risk of overweight. In addition, Hispanic children were more than twice as likely to be overweight or at risk of overweight. Moreover, 2-year-olds were less likely to be overweight than were 3- and 4-year-olds. The researchers concluded that interventions should target young children and be culturally specific.