Abstract
Objective: The goals of this study were to assess the impact of recent changes in the WIC allotment on fruit intake, dietary quality/adequacy, energy/nutrient intakes, and potential impact of the complete removal of 100% fruit juice (FJ) from the package. Methods: 24-hour recalls from children 1-4 years who were WIC participants or income-eligible nonparticipants in the NHANES 2007-2008 and 2011-2014 (before and after WIC package changes) were analyzed. Results: There were no differences in the Healthy Eating Index-2015 total score; subcomponent scores for “greens and beans” and for “fatty acid ratio” were higher in 2011-2014 than in 2007-2008 in children participating in WIC; scores for “sodium” were higher in 2011-2014 than in 2007-2008 in children not participating in WIC but income-eligible. In WIC participants mean intakes of riboflavin, vitamins B12 and C, and zinc were significantly (p<0.01) lower, and intake of vitamin E was significantly (p<0.01) higher in 2011-2014 compared to 2007-2008. One significant difference in nutrient adequacy in children was that of a lower (p<0.01) percentage of inadequacy for WIC participants for vitamin E and a higher (p<0.01) percentage of inadequacy for WIC participants for vitamin A in 2011-2014 as compared to those in 2007-2008. The elimination of FJ from the WIC food packages resulted in a 38-50% lower total fruit intake and a 4-5% reduction in total HEI-2015 score. Conclusion: Changes in the WIC program resulted in potential adverse effects on mean intakes of some nutrients but not on the nutrient adequacy or overall diet quality. Confirmatory studies are needed.
Highlights
Twenty-five percent of children 1-4 years of age will receive the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefits at some point in their lives [1, 2]
This rationale is consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) [10], and Institute of Medicine (IOM) [11] the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendations [12]
There were no differences in intake of total fruit, fruit from fruit juice (FJ), or whole fruit cup equivalents between children in NHANES 2007-2008 and 2011-2014 in either group of children (Figure 1)
Summary
Twenty-five percent of children 1-4 years of age (years) will receive the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefits at some point in their lives [1, 2]. A reduction in the quantity of FJ in the WIC food packages was based in part on the assumption that the proposed change would help increase intake of whole fruits and vegetables while still containing food costs [1, 2]. This rationale is consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) [10], and Institute of Medicine (IOM) [11] the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendations [12]. The WIC-proposed maximum monthly allowance of FJ was reduced from 8517 mL to 3785
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