Exploring the Impact of the New WIC Food Package on Low-Fat Milk Consumption Among WIC Recipients: A Pilot Study.
Objective: To examine if the mothers and their eldest child participating in WIC would accept the 2009 new Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program package and drink more low-fat milk.
Methods: Mothers and their eldest child at two Atlanta WIC clinics were recruited. Data were collected at baseline (before the new WIC package), at one week and four weeks.
Results: The percentage of children consuming low-fat milk significantly increased: 41.3% at baseline, 58.8% at week one, and 79.5% at week four (p<.001). After four weeks, the mothers reported increased child's consumption of low-fat milk vs. whole milk (AOR = 7.36; CI: 1.44-37.52). Mothers' consumption of low-fat milk did not significantly change after introduction of the new package.
Conclusions: Policy changes for WIC vouchers were implemented to encourage mothers to reduce fat calories in dairy products for them and their children. This represents a powerful, low-resource intervention to change health behaviors among low-income families.