scholarly journals Stocking characteristics and perceived increases in sales among small food store managers/owners associated with the introduction of new food products approved by the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children

2012 ◽  
Vol 15 (9) ◽  
pp. 1771-1779 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guadalupe X Ayala ◽  
Melissa N Laska ◽  
Shannon N Zenk ◽  
June Tester ◽  
Donald Rose ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Products ◽  
Infants And Children ◽  
Wheat Bread ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition ◽  
Nutrition Program ◽  
Food Stores ◽  
Whole Wheat ◽  
Whole Wheat Bread ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition Program ◽  
The Impact

AbstractObjectiveThe present study assessed the impact of the 2009 food packages mandated by the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) on perceived sales, product selection and stocking habits of small, WIC-authorized food stores.DesignA cross-sectional study involving in-depth interviews with store managers/owners.SettingSmall, WIC-authorized food stores in eight major cities in the USA.SubjectsFifty-two store managers/owners who had at least 1 year of experience in the store prior to study participation.ResultsThe WIC-approved food products (fresh, canned and frozen fruits; fresh, canned and frozen vegetables; wholegrain/whole-wheat bread; white corn/whole-wheat tortillas; brown rice; lower-fat milk (<2 %)) were acquired in multiple ways, although acquisition generally occurred 1–2 times/week. Factors such as customer requests (87 %), refrigerator/freezer availability (65 %) and profitability (71 %) were rated as very important when making stocking decisions. Most managers/owners perceived increases in sales of new WIC-approved foods including those considered most profitable (wholegrain/whole-wheat bread (89 %), lower-fat milk (89 %), white corn/whole wheat tortillas (54 %)), but perceived no changes in sales of processed fruits and vegetables. Supply mechanisms and frequency of supply acquisition were only moderately associated with perceived sales increases.ConclusionsRegardless of type or frequency of supply acquisition, perceived increases in sales provided some evidence for the potential sustainability of these WIC policy efforts and translation of this policy-based strategy to other health promotion efforts aimed at improving healthy food access in underserved communities.

scholarly journals Factors Associated with the Initiation of Added Sugar among Low-Income Young Children Participating in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children in the US

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 3888
Author(s):  
Morium B. Bably ◽  
Rajib Paul ◽  
Sarah B. Laditka ◽  
Elizabeth F. Racine
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
Cox Proportional Hazards Model ◽  
Infants And Children ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition ◽  
Nutrition Program ◽  
Added Sugar ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition Program ◽  
The Impact

Added sugar intake at a young age is associated with chronic diseases including cardiovascular diseases, asthma, elevated blood pressure, and overweight. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020–2025 and the American Heart Association recommend delaying the introduction of added sugar until age 2. The aims of this study were to identify the timing of added sugar initiation; factors associated with added sugar initiation; and the top five added sugar foods and beverages consumed by infants and children at three age ranges (< 7 months, 8–13 months, and 14–24 months). Data were from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Infant and Toddler Feeding Practices Study-2, a longitudinal, national population of WIC participants enrolled in WIC eligible clinics (n = 3835). The Cox proportional hazards model was used to examine the factors associated with introducing added sugar. About 25% of children were given added sugar at or before 7 months. Contributing factors were caregivers’ race/ethnicity, education, employment, weight status, parity, child sex, and premature birth (all p < 0.05). The top added sugar foods consumed between 1–24 months were cereal, crackers, apple sauce, dessert, yogurt, sweetened beverages, syrup and preserves, and cookies. Further research to examine the impact of early initiation of added sugar on health outcomes and taste preferences is warranted.

scholarly journals The Impact of Policy Changes on Milk and Beverage Consumption of Texas WIC Children

2017 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 421-442
Author(s):  
Ariun Ishdorj ◽  
Oral Capps
Keyword(s):  
Infants And Children ◽  
Policy Changes ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition ◽  
Nutrition Program ◽  
Beverage Consumption ◽  
Food Packages ◽  
Whole Milk ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition Program ◽  
The Impact

Major changes in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) food packages that were implemented in 2009 included reductions in the amount of milk and 100% juices, as well as the removal of whole milk from food packages. In analyzing the effect of these changes on the beverage consumption of Texas WIC children ages two to four, we found a significant decrease in the amount of whole milk consumed, and this decrease was partially offset by the increase in the amount of lower-fat milks consumed. Intakes of both desirable and undesirable nutrients from milk were decreased.

scholarly journals Healthy food availability and participation in WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children) in food stores around lower- and higher-income elementary schools

2010 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 960-964 ◽  
Author(s):  
June M Tester ◽  
Irene H Yen ◽  
Lauren C Pallis ◽  
Barbara A Laraia
Keyword(s):  
Elementary Schools ◽  
Healthy Food ◽  
Infants And Children ◽  
Lower Income ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition ◽  
Nutrition Program ◽  
Food Stores ◽  
Food Outlets ◽  
Income Status ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition Program

AbstractObjectiveThe nutritional intake of schoolchildren is affected not only by what is consumed at school but also by what is available in food outlets near schools. The present study surveys the range of food outlets around schools and examines how the availability of healthy food in the food stores encountered varies by income status of the school and by store participation in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) food assistance programme.DesignNetwork buffer zones were created to reflect a quarter-mile (400 m) walk from elementary schools with lower- and higher-income student populations in Oakland, CA, USA. All food outlets within these zones were categorised by type, and audits were conducted within food stores using a checklist to assess for the presence or absence of twenty-eight healthy items (in five domains).SettingMid-sized city in the USA.SubjectsFood outlets near public elementary schools.ResultsThere were considerably more food outlets around lower-income schools. Food stores near higher-income schools had higher scores in two of the five domains (healthy beverages/low-fat dairy and healthy snacks). However, there were more food stores near lower-income schools that accepted WIC vouchers. Stratification showed that WIC stores scored higher than non-WIC stores on four of the five domains.ConclusionsAlthough higher-income students have more access to healthy food in the environment surrounding their school, this disparity appears to be mitigated by stores that accept WIC and offer more healthy snacking options. Federal programmes such as this may be particularly valuable for children in lower-income areas.

scholarly journals Use of a new availability index to evaluate the effect of policy changes to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) on the food environment in New Orleans

2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keelia O’Malley ◽  
Brian G Luckett ◽  
Lauren Futrell Dunaway ◽  
J Nicholas Bodor ◽  
Donald Rose
Keyword(s):  
New Orleans ◽  
Food Policy ◽  
National Level ◽  
Infants And Children ◽  
Dietary Recommendations ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition ◽  
Nutrition Program ◽  
Food Stores ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition Program ◽  
Availability Index

AbstractObjectiveChanges to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) occurred in 2009 when supplemental foods offered through the programme were updated to align with current dietary recommendations. The present study reports on a new index developed to monitor the retail environment’s adoption of these new food supply requirements in New Orleans.DesignA 100-point WIC Availability Index (WIC-AI) was derived from new minimum state stocking requirements for WIC vendors. A sample of supermarkets, medium and small food stores was assessed in 2009 before changes were implemented and in 2010 after revisions had gone into effect. WIC-AI scores were utilized to compare differences in meeting requirements by store type, WIC vendor status and year of measurement.SettingSupermarkets, medium and small WIC and non-WIC food stores in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.ResultsAt baseline supermarkets had the highest median WIC-AI score (93·3) followed by medium (69·8) and small food stores (48·0). Small WIC stores had a higher median WIC-AI score at baseline than small non-WIC stores (66·9 v. 38·0). Both medium and small WIC stores significantly increased their median WIC-AI scores between 2009 and 2010 (P<0·01). The increased median WIC-AI score in small food stores was largely attributed to increased availability of cereals and grains, juices and fruit, and infant fruit and vegetables.ConclusionsThe WIC-AI is a simple tool useful in summarizing complex food store environment data and may be adapted for use in other states or a national level to inform food policy decisions and direction.

Another Look at WIC’s Breastfeeding Data: State Totals Reveal More Than Regional Averages

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shari Salzhauer Berkowitz
Keyword(s):  
Native American ◽  
Local Level ◽  
The United States ◽  
Regional Level ◽  
Infants And Children ◽  
Fiscal Year ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition ◽  
Nutrition Program ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition Program

Background: Breastfeeding is known to be the most beneficial way of feeding infants, but 68% of the infants enrolled in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children are fully formula fed. Mandated annual reports about breastfeeding aggregate data from the states into regions, which obscures important information. Research Aim: The aim of this study is to reexamine the data supplied by the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children to identify which areas of the United States have the lowest incidence of breastfeeding infants. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional observational study was conducted. Data from the Breastfeeding Data Local Agency Report were extracted, graphed, and analyzed. Results: Data provided from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children for fiscal year 2016 show that the range of fully formula fed infants at the regional level is 60% to 78%, while at the state level the range is wider, at 51% to 89%. The states with the largest numbers of fully formula fed infants were Mississippi (89%), Louisiana (88%), Alabama (88%), and Arkansas (87%). When examining data from all 90 reporting agencies, the range of fully formula fed infants was 38% to 95%. Conclusions: Aggregating state, Native American nation, and territorial data at the regional level resulted in a loss of important information. WIC’s current breastfeeding interventions may be more effective in some areas than others. Future research can examine successful and unsuccessful interventions on a state or local level.

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