Published: May 2025

ID #: 82566

Journal: J Acad Nutr Diet

Authors: Anderson CE, Yepez CE, Whaley SE

See more related research

Share


The objectives of this study were to describe WIC service utilization patterns (in-person, telephone, video conference, interactive texting, online individual education, online group education) and assess associations of service utilization with WIC benefit redemption and continued participation. Study data include survey and administrative data from households with a WIC-participating child aged 1 to 4 years who responded to the 2023 California Statewide WIC Survey between March and August 2023. Participants who used any in-person or fully remote services had similar levels of mean benefit redemption (53.2% and 53.3%, respectively) and continued participation (83.7% and 81.2%, respectively). In the full sample, online individual education was associated with 2.2% higher redemption (95% CI, 0.1%-4.4%). Among those receiving no in-person WIC services, online individual education and online group education were associated with 2.7% (95% CI, 0.1%-5.4%) and 4.2% (95% CI, 0.6%-7.8%) higher benefit redemption; interactive texting was associated with 36% higher odds of continued participation (95% CI, 1%-83%). In-person and fully remote WIC services were associated with similar levels of benefit redemption and continued participation. Online individual education and interactive texting may be important for redemption and continued participation for some WIC-participating households. Continued WIC investment in technology and staff training for these flexible services may contribute to positive outcomes, particularly for families without in-person service use.

Related Research

November 2024

Identifying factors contributing to increased Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children participation

In 2023 and 2024, after a decade of decreasing participation, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) is witnessing a nationwide increase in program enrollment. This project will tackle 3 project aims to identify the policies, procedures, and technologies associated with increasing participation. Aim 1 will focus on California as a More

October 2026

Cross-Sectional Evaluation of WIC Participation Status and Massachusetts Children’s Nutrition after the Cash-Value Benefit Increase

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) increased the Cash-Value Benefit (CVB) for fruits and vegetables in 2021. Although WIC participants reported increased purchasing, consumption, and variety of fruits and vegetables after the CVB increase, it is unknown whether this resulted in higher fruit and vegetable intake relative to nonparticipants. The More

October 2026

An Electronic Health Record-Based Intervention to Facilitate Primary Care Referrals to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children: Retrospective Cohort Study

This study evaluated responses to an electronic health record (EHR)-embedded federal nutrition program (FNP) participation screening and WIC referral tool implemented within 8 clinics during well-child visits for children younger than 5 years of age. Structured EHR data from July 2020 to October 2023 were extracted to summarize screening, referral acceptance, WIC enrollment outcomes, and More