WIC Participation Associated With Improved Nutrition in Children

Investigators from the CDC, US Department of Agriculture (USDA), and Department of Health and Human Services reviewed NHANES data from 2011–2014 to compare dietary intake among US children 12–23 months old by status in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) nutrition program. NHANES is an ongoing survey of the US population that includes a household interview and physical examination of participants. The survey is designed to produce nationally representative data and is conducted in 2-year cycles. For the current study, data collected during the 2011–2012 and 2013–2014 cycles were analyzed. Study participants were children 12–23 months old on whom an adult respondent (typically a parent) provided a 24-hour dietary recall. Information on food and beverage consumption by the study child was …