Early engagement with WIC services predicts continued participation in the program
A recent study in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, found that how families engage with the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) during the first months after a child's birth may influence whether they remain enrolled through the child's first year.
A recent study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior reveals that early interaction with the WIC program may influence whether families continue participating. Researchers scrutinized data from 1,851 participants in the WIC Infant and Toddler Feeding Practices Study-2, examining early interactions with WIC and their correlation with early exits from the program before a child turned 13 months old.
Approximately 15% of participants exited WIC before the milestone. Factors associated with early exits included delayed prenatal enrollment, incomplete redemption of WIC food benefits, insufficient WIC breastfeeding or infant-feeding information, and lack of participation in other public assistance programs. The research indicates that early engagement with WIC services, focusing on nutrition education, breastfeeding resources, and food benefits, could enhance retention and ensure families receive the complete spectrum of health and nutrition benefits provided by the program.
WIC delivers essential resources, including nutritious foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding assistance, and referrals to health and social services, to millions of women, infants, and young children each month. Strengthening engagement during pregnancy and early infancy might improve program retention, ensuring families benefit from its comprehensive offerings.
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