Feature Article:::...

37-year-old federal program growing up

By: Trula Puckett, R.D., L.D.N.

Established as a pilot program in 1972, WIC (women, infants and children) is a nutrition education, supplemental foods program regulated by the Food and Nutrition Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

WIC is a federally funded program for women, infants and children that helps families by providing food vouchers (checks) for purchasing healthy foods, nutrition education, and help finding health care and other community services. Participants must meet income guidelines and be pregnant women, new mothers, infants or children younger than 5.

During the 1950s and 1960s research such as the NHANES Study, the book “Hunger in America” and pilot studies in Canada reveled a critical need for better nutrition among certain populations. Five nutrients lacking in the diets of WIC’s target population were vitamins A and C, calcium, iron and protein. WIC pioneers created food packages for women, infants and children supplying those nutrients. Vouchers, which look and transact much like a check, are issued to WIC participants listing specific foods that can be purchased using that voucher.

Unlike other food subsidy programs, WIC is very picky about the foods participants can purchase with its vouchers. Foods must meet nutritional standards such as sugar content and additives. Prior to Oct. 1, 2009, foods available through WIC (depending on age and nutrition status) included milk, eggs, juice, dried beans and peas, peanut butter, iron fortified dry cereal, cheese, infant formula, infant juice and infant cereal. For 37 years, the only significant food package change occurred in 1992 with the addition of carrots and tuna for lactating women.

Times have really changed. We have better knowledge and understanding of nutrition and the body’s requirements thereof. Food supply and availability has changed. Major health risks are different. There is greater diversity among WIC’s target population.

Nutrient recommendations and dietary guidelines have changed. Knowledge of nutrient requirements has increased and DRIs (dietary reference intakes) have been substantially revised. WIC food packages were originally designed using the basic four food groups and should now be based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

The food supply and dietary patterns have changed. A wider variety of fresh produce is available at reasonable prices and in more locations. The way Americans choose to eat and spend their food dollars has also changed.

Major health risks have changed for the WIC population. There is greater numbers of overweight and obesity in adults and children. Excess body fat and physical inactivity are now associated with other health related problems.

The demographics of the WIC population have changed significantly. The total number of WIC participants has dramatically increased and the diversity of the WIC population has greatly expanded.

The revised WIC food packages are designed to contribute to an overall healthier diet, encourage consumption of fruits and vegetables, emphasize whole grains, reduce saturated fat, provide incentives for breastfeeding, be consistent with current dietary guidance for infants and young children, takes into account diverse cultural food preferences to increase participant choice, allows foods that are readily acceptable, widely available, and commonly eaten.

To better meet the needs of a growing WIC population, WIC is growing, too. Beginning Oct. 1, fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables will be added to WIC’s allowable foods, as will a variety of whole grains including whole wheat bread, whole grain bread, brown rice, oats, soft corn tortillas and others. Reduced fat milk will be the standard milk issued except for children who need whole milk. Reduced amounts of juice, milk and/or cheese will contribute to lower fat and calories diets.

Greater emphasis will be placed on encouraging mothers to breastfeed their babies by increasing the market value of packages for fully breastfeeding mothers and infants, providing less formula for partially breastfed infants and discouraging use of formula in the first month for breastfed infants.

Infant juice will be eliminated in favor of baby food (after age 6 months) fruits and vegetables to promote healthy eating patterns. Additionally, 6-month-old breastfed infants will receive baby food meat.

New foods offered to meet the needs of our culturally diverse participants and increase variety include tortillas, brown rice, soy beverage, tofu, and canned salmon and/or sardines. Of course, not all foods apply to all food packages. And not all foods are appropriate for all participants.

The WIC program is growing to meet the changing needs and challenges of its participants.

WIC is effective in improving the health of low-income, pregnant women, new mothers, and their infants. A 1990 study showed that women who participated in the program during their pregnancies had lower Medicaid costs for themselves and their babies than did women who did not participate. WIC participation was also linked with longer gestation periods, higher birth weights and lower infant mortality.

Almost half of all infants and about a quarter of all children ages 1 to 4 in the United States participate in the program, making it the USDA’s third-largest food and nutrition assistance program. Beginning Oct. 1, WIC will provide improved education and foods that reflect recommended dietary guidelines. For more information about WIC call 1-800-342-5942 or visit fns.usda.gov/wic.

--------Health & Wellness--------

Trula Puckett, R.D., L.D.N., is the WIC/nutrition services director for the Sullivan County Regional Health Department.