Federal Nutrition Program Revisions Impact Low-income Households’ Food Purchases

Published: March 2018

ID #: 73247

Journal: Am J Prev Med

Authors: Ng SW, Hollingsworth BA, Busey EA, Wandell JL, Miles DR, Poti JM

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The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) required major revisions to food packages in 2009. This study examines associations between WIC revisions and nutritional profiles of packaged food purchases from 2008 to 2014 among 4,537 low-income households with preschoolers in the U.S. using Nielsen Homescan Consumer Panel data. Among WIC households, significant decreases in purchases of calories (−11%), sodium (−12%), total fat (−10%), and sugar (−15%) occurred, alongside decreases in purchases of refined grains, grain-based desserts, higher-fat milks, and sugar-sweetened beverages, and increases in purchases of fruits/vegetables with no added sugar/fats/salt. Income-eligible nonparticipating households had similar, but less pronounced, reductions. Overall, WIC food package revisions may encourage WIC families to make healthier choices among their overall packaged food purchases.

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Age Groups: Adults and Families, Pregnant women, infants and toddlers (ages 0 to 2), Preschool-age children (ages 3 to 5)

Race/Ethnicity: African American or Black, Latino(a) or Hispanic, White

Resource Type: Journal Article

State: National

Focus Area: Nutrition Policy & Programs

Keywords: Nutrition standards, Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

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