Abstract
Background
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) provides
supplemental foods to assist participants in meeting their dietary needs. Few studies
have described the extent to which WIC-eligible foods contribute to the overall diet
of children who were enrolled in WIC prenatally or in early infancy.
Objective
Our aims were to examine commonly consumed foods and estimate the proportion of dietary
intake contributed by WIC-eligible foods among 13- and 24-month-old children, and
to assess differences by WIC participation status at 24-months.
Design
This was a national observational study.
Participants/setting
Children participating in the WIC Infant and Toddler Feeding Practices Study-2 were
included (13 months old [n=2,777] and 24 months old [n=2,450]) from 2013 to 2016.
Main outcome measures
Dietary intakes were assessed using 24-hour dietary recalls at 13 and 24 months. The
10 most commonly consumed foods were described using the What We Eat in America food
category classification system. WIC-eligible foods were defined as meeting the WIC
nutrient criteria set forth in the Federal regulation.
Statistical analyses performed
The estimated proportion (mean±standard error) of WIC-eligible foods to total daily
intake was calculated for energy, macronutrients, and select micronutrients. Multiple
linear regression, adjusted for confounders, was conducted to compare the estimated
proportion of nutrient intake from WIC-eligible foods by WIC participation at 24 months.
Results
At 13 and 24 months, most (60% and 63%, respectively) of the commonly consumed foods
were eligible for purchase as part of the child WIC food package. WIC-eligible foods
provided >40% of calories and close to 50% or more of other nutrients, and the contribution
of WIC-eligible foods to overall micronutrient intake increased between 13 and 24
months. Children still on WIC at 24 months obtained a larger proportion of calories
and most other nutrients from WIC-eligible foods than children no longer on WIC.
Conclusions
WIC-eligible foods could contribute to the overall diet of toddlers who were enrolled
in WIC prenatally or in early infancy. Further, there may be additional nutritional
benefits of staying on the program through 24 months.
Keywords
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Biography
L. E. Au is an assistant researcher, Nutrition Policy Institute, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California, Berkeley.
Biography
K. Gurzo is a data analyst, Nutrition Policy Institute, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California, Berkeley.
Biography
L. D. Ritchie is director and cooperative extension specialist, Nutrition Policy Institute, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California, Berkeley.
Biography
K. R. Plank is a project policy analyst, Nutrition Policy Institute, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California, Berkeley.
Biography
C. Paolicelli is a social science research analyst, Office of Policy Support, Food and Nutrition Service, US Department of Agriculture, Alexandria, VA.
Biography
N. S. Weinfield is senior study director, Westat, Rockville, MD.
Biography
S. E. Whaley is director of research and evaluation, Public Health Foundation Enterprises WIC, Irwindale, CA.
Article info
Publication history
Published online: January 09, 2019
Accepted:
November 1,
2018
Received:
April 23,
2018
Footnotes
STATEMENT OF POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
FUNDING/SUPPORT Data are drawn from the WIC Infant and Toddler Feeding Practices Study-2 (WIC ITFPS-2). WIC ITFPS-2 is a federal study conducted under the direction of the Office of Policy Support in the Food and Nutrition Service, US Department of Agriculture (AG-3198-B-11-0020).
This study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT02031978.
Identification
Copyright
© 2019 by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
