Promoting Responsive Bottle-Feeding Within WIC: Evaluation of a Policy, Systems, and Environmental Change Approach

Published: June 2021

Journal: J Acad Nutr Diet

Authors: Ventura AK, Garcia KS, Meza M, Rodriguez E, Martinez CE, Whaley SE

See more related research

Share

Bottle-fed infants are at greater risk for overfeeding and rapid weight gain (RWG), so evidence-based strategies for promoting healthy bottle-feeding practices are needed. The aim of this study was to assess whether policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) strategies for promoting responsive bottle-feeding practices within the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) were associated with lower risk for RWG. In a randomized trial, PSE strategies were implemented at 3 WIC clinics in Los Angeles County. PSE clinics were compared with 3 matched control clinics. Infants in WIC clinics wherein PSE strategies were implemented had 64% lower likelihood of exhibiting rapid weight gain compared with infants in control clinics. Prevalence of exclusive and any breastfeeding was similar for mothers in the PSE and control clinics, suggesting the PSE strategies did not negatively affect breastfeeding support.

Read the Article

Focus Areas: Beverages, Early Childhood, Nutrition Policy & Programs

State: California

Keywords: Infant Feeding, Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

Resource Type: Journal Article

Age Group: Pregnant women, infants and toddlers (ages 0 to 2)

Related Research

May 2026

A Pediatric Perspective on the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines

Clear, evidence-based guidance on what foods and beverages children and adolescents should consume—and in what amounts—is foundational for promoting healthy growth and preventing diet-related chronic disease across the life course. Yet many children and adolescents in the US continue to have diets of poor nutritional quality. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs), issued every 5 More

May 2026

Ultraprocessed Foods in the U.S.: Recommended Definitions and Policies

Despite growing interest in ultraprocessed foods (UPFs), there is not consensus on how to define UPFs for policy purposes. To meet this need, Healthy Eating Research convened an expert panel to develop evidence-informed recommendations for policymakers and advocates interested in advancing policies to limit UPF exposure and consumption at the local, state, and federal levels. More

May 2026

Beyond Added Sugar Reduction: A Narrative Review of Policies to Address Nonsugar Sweeteners

This perspective provides policymakers, advocates and researchers with a description of proposed and enacted policies that assist consumers in identifying products with nonsugar sweeteners (NSS) and/or reduce NSS exposure. Consumption of NSS is associated with multiple chronic diseases. NSS exposure is increasing as food and beverage manufacturers replace added sugars with NSS. This narrative review More