WIC Food Packages Time for a Change (2006) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:
Executive Summary
Executive Summary
Pages 1-18
The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.
From page 1... ...
Started in 19721974, the WIC program was designed to meet the special nutritional needs of lowincome pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum non-breastfeeding women; infants; and children up to five years of age who are at nutritional risk. The WIC program started as a pilot project and has now expanded to serve all 50 states and the District of Columbia as well as Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the American Virgin Islands, and 34 Indian Tribal Organizations.1 The WIC program provides participants with supplemental foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to health and social services.
|
From page 2... ...
In Phase I, the committee was tasked with reviewing the nutritional needs of population subgroups participating in the WIC program, assessing supplemental nutrition needs of these subgroups, and proposing priority nutrients and general nutrition recommendations. In Phase II, the committee was tasked with using the initial assessment to recommend specific changes to WIC food packages.
|
From page 3... ...
The work providing the basis for nutrient and food priorities is summarized in Chapter 2 -- Nutrient and Food Priorities. PROPOSED WIC FOOD PACKAGES This section briefly describes the proposed WIC food packages, summarizes how the proposed food packages differ from the current food packages, and provides an overview of the rationale for the changes.
|
From page 4... ...
For this reason, the committee urges pilot testing and randomized, controlled trials of the changes before they are implemented nationwide (see Chapter 7 -- Recommendations for Implementation and Evaluation of the Revised WIC Food Packages)
|
From page 5... ...
Beginning the second month after birth, a third infant feeding option is available -- partial breastfeeding. The committee proposes the following definition of a partially breast-fed infant for the purpose of assigning WIC food packages: the infant is breast-fed but also receives formula from the WIC program in an amount not to exceed approximately half the amount of formula allowed for a fully formula-fed infant.
|
From page 6... ...
By definition, fully breast-fed infants do not receive formula from the WIC program. Instead, they receive the benefit of breast milk, which pro 3The food package for fully formula-fed infants is available if more formula is needed but any mother who requests that package will receive Food Package VI (available up to 6 months after giving birth)
|
From page 7... ...
This package differs substantially by infant-feeding category, as shown in Table ES-1. The proposed food package introduces the following changes: · Formula -- decreased for fully formula-fed infants (from 403 to 312 fluid ounces of liquid formula concentrate per month)
|
From page 8... ...
The committee supports the least restriction of WIC foods consistent with the participant's special health needs. The addition of infants with special dietary needs is recommended to increase efficiency in keeping track of foods and food costs for all individuals with special dietary needs.
|
From page 9... ...
NOTE: For side-by-side comparisons of the current and revised versions of all the food packages, see Appendix A · Fruits and vegetables -- added, with fresh and processed options; · Milk and milk alternatives limited to approximately the amount recommended in the Dietary Guidelines or other dietary guidance; as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, whole milk for 1-year-old children and fat-reduced milk (2 percent milk fat or less)
|
From page 10... ...
Fruits and 144 fluid ounces of 96 fluid ounces of 144 fluid ounces of Vegetables vitamin C-rich juice vitamin C-rich juice vitamin C-rich juice [4.8 fluid ounces [3.2 fluid ounces [4.8 fluid ounces per day]
|
From page 11... ...
PROPOSED FOOD PACKAGES ARE IN LINE WITH THE COMMITTEE'S CRITERIA Proposed Food Packages Support Improved Nutrient Intakes The committee redesigned the food packages to increase or decrease their content of priority nutrients with the goals of improving overall nutri
|
From page 12... ...
Furthermore, some allowed food choices could increase nutrient intakes above the committee's estimates. The revised food packages for women and children provide less saturated fat, cholesterol, total fat, and sodium than the current food packages.
|
From page 13... ...
Proposed Food Packages Have Features with Wide Appeal to Diverse Populations Among the features that may improve the incentive value of the WIC food packages and encourage participants to consume the foods provided are: · a wider variety of foods; and · more participant choices. 4 The committee's primary recommendation includes fresh fruits and vegetable rather than processed forms because of the wider variety available in most locations and the lower sodium content of likely choices.
|
From page 14... ...
· The feasibility of using cash-value vouchers for fresh produce is based on input from vendors. Through public comments, WIC program staff emphasized that they could and would develop workable approaches to implement improvements in the WIC food packages.
|
From page 15... ...
Nonetheless, the committee also recognized that it is impossible to predict a priori the effects of the revised WIC food packages on either food consumption or nutrient intakes. The WIC program can control only what is offered to participants, not what participants actually consume.
|
From page 16... ...
· Nutrition Education -- The committee recommends adapting nutrition education to address changes in the food packages related to food choices, shopping, handling foods in the home, incentives for breastfeeding, and feeding infants and young children. To realize fully the potential of these revised food packages to improve the nutritional status of the WIC population, a revised system for providing nutrition education may be 5Competent Professional Authorities (CPAs)
|
From page 17... ...
The changes to the food packages reinforce the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and should result in improved diets for WIC participants. In turn, the revised WIC food packages are expected to improve the WIC program's positive contribution to the nation's health.
|
Key Terms
This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
More
information on Chapter Skim is available.