P86: WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) Improves Diet Quality and Increases Perceived Fruit and Vegetable Benefits of Female Heads of WIC Households but Does not Improve Household Food Insecurity

Abstract

Food insecurity negatively impacts health and diet quality, including fruit (F) and vegetable (V) intake. This study examined differences in household (HH) food security status (FSS), FV intake and behaviors, and health between women heading: 1) HHs participating in WIC alone; and 2) HHs in both WIC and FMNP. Using validated measures of HH FSS, FV intake and behaviors, and health, Athens County (Ohio) WIC HHs [WIC, n = 829; FMNP, n = 246)] were surveyed [Response Rate (RR): WIC, n = 162 (19.5% RR); FMNP, n = 56 (22.8% RR)]. Of 213, 61 (28.6%) were living in food secure HHs, while 42 (19.7%), 70 (32.9%), and 40 (18.8%) were living in at risk for food insecurity, food insecure (FI) without hunger, and FI with hunger HHs, respectively. Of 215, only 1 HH (0.5%) had clear evidence of child hunger. For the entire sample, food insecurity was associated with poorer health (r = −0.187, P = .007) and poorer diet quality (r = -.247, P < .001). FSS (t-test, P = .818) and health (t-test, P = .087) did not differ between groups. V intake servings were greater among FMNP (2.3 ± 1.2), compared to WIC (1.9 ± 1.0) (t-test, P = .026). F intake did not differ (t-test, P = .642). While self efficacy (t-test, P = .727) and perceived control (t-test, P = .205) did not differ, both perceived benefit (t-test, P = .031) and perceived diet quality (t-test, P = .027) were greater for FMNP. While HH FSS does not appear to be improved through FMNP, diet quality, especially V intake, appears to be improved. Further study is warranted in larger samples in Ohio and across the US.