The contribution of the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants and children (WIC) to food security

The underlying premise of the WIC program is that low income predisposes individuals to poor nutritional status and poor health outcomes during critical growth and developmental periods such as pregnancy, infancy, and early childhood. The Institute of Medicine in its report evaluating WIC nutrition risk criteria suggested for the first time that food insecurity be utilized as a risk criterion for program eligibility. Therefore, the primary research question, which this study sought to answer, is: “What is the contribution of the WIC program to food security of prenatal women and their families?” The initial sample included 313 Hispanic and African-American women in their first sixteen weeks of pregnancy. Interviews were administered at three time points: the initial prenatal visit, prior to delivery, and 3–6 months postpartum. Data collected at each interview included the USDA's Core Food Security Module, quantitative 24-hour dietary recalls and participation in government assistance programs. Additional data included: demographic and household information, information on shopping practices and lessons learned from WIC nutrition education modules. Analysis of WIC's contribution to preventing food insecurity focused on the role of WIC foods in contributing to dietary quality but also included the different components that comprise the program. A decrease in food insecurity of 38.3% was achieved from study entry to study close. One of the most important functions of the WIC program appears to be its use as an income transfer program. Dietary quality improved in terms of increased intakes of iron, protein and folate. Decreases in intake below Recommended Dietary Allowances were demonstrated for calcium, magnesium, and energy. Study participants reported learning valuable messages from WIC nutrition education components including “how to eat a healthy diet” and the “importance of breastfeeding”. Although participation in governmental assistance programs was limited, it proved to be central to families in maintaining household food security. Therefore, because food insecurity can be considered a nutrition and health concern in its own right, the identification of individuals who are truly experiencing hunger or are at risk of hunger through intermittent or continuing household food insecurity should be considered a priority for the WIC program.