Federal Nutrition Programs Research Articles

Federal Nutrition Program Changes and Healthy Food Availability

Literature on food environments is expanding rapidly, yet a gap exists regarding the role of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) on healthy food availability. In October 2009, the U.S. Department of Agriculture revised the WIC food package, requiring certified stores to stock fresh produce, whole grains, and lower-fat milk. The goal of this study is to compare availability of foods in stores that are versus those that are not WIC-certified before and after the policy change. Store inventories were collected in 45 corner stores in Hartford CT with four inventories each (180 total inventories) from January 2009 to January 2010. Data on availability and variety of fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, whole grains, and lower-fat milk were recorded. Analyses were completed in 2012 using Fisher's exact test, chi-square, and t-tests for descriptive analyses and multilevel models to measure food availability longitudinally (significance at p<0.05). Controlling for covariates, WIC-certified vendors carried more varieties of fresh fruit (p<0.01); a greater proportion of lower-fat milk (p<0.01); and had greater availability of whole grain bread (p<0.01) and brown rice (p<0.05) than vendors without WIC authorization after the policy change. Conversely, for all outcomes, stores without WIC authorization did not significantly increase healthy food availability. The 2009 WIC revisions increased availability of healthy foods among WIC-certified vendors compared to those without WIC authorization in Hartford CT. For many residents without a car, these changes can create a convenient shopping location for healthy foods when a larger supermarket is not nearby.

Adolescent nutritional awareness and use of food labels: Results from the national nutrition health and examination survey

BackgroundAwareness of federal nutrition programs and use of the nutrition facts label are associated with reduced risk for obesity and increased intake of fruits and vegetables. Relationships between nutrition programs, use of food labels and risk for overweight and obesity have rarely been evaluated in adolescents.MethodsUsing the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2005–6, we evaluated the frequency of nutrition awareness of USDA and CDC nutrition programs and use of food labels in adolescents. Risk for overweight (BMI ≥ 85-94th percentile) and obesity (BMI ≥ 95th percentile) was assessed in relation to nutrition awareness and label reading.ResultsMost adolescents (92.4%) were aware of the Food Guide Pyramid. Fewer (43.5%) were aware of the 5-A-Day Program, and even less (29.3%) were aware of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Less than 25% of adolescents decided which foods to purchase by reading material on the nutrition facts label. There were significant racial and ethnic differences in awareness of federal nutrition programs with Mexican-Americans having the lowest levels of awareness of the US Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the Food Guide Pyramid in comparison with other groups. Non-Hispanic whites had higher and African-American adolescents had lower frequencies of reading fat information on the nutrition label in comparison to Mexican-American and other Hispanics. Awareness of other nutrition programs or of other information on the nutrition facts label was not associated with increased or decreased risk for overweight or obesity.ConclusionsUse of the nutrition facts panel information is low among US adolescents. Additionally, less than half of adolescents are aware of federal nutrition programs including the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Future studies should evaluate avenues to make nutrition information more accessible to young Americans.

Effects of Federal Nutrition Program on Birth Outcomes

Using a nationally representative sample of the birth cohort of the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, we examine the impact on birth outcomes of the largest federal nutrition program in the United States: Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). By identifying a set of strong and valid instrumental variables for WIC participation, we are able to address the fundamental problem in the literature—selection bias. Similar to recent studies, we find that WIC does not affect average birth weight and average gestational week after correcting for selection bias using the instrumental variable method. However, WIC participation has significantly reduced the probability of very premature birth and (very) low birth weight after controlling selection bias by bivariate probit models. Our results indicate that rather than affecting the average outcomes, WIC is more effective for births that are at high risk. The potential benefits of WIC program can be realized by increasing its focus on more disadvantaged mothers.

Federal nutrition programs and childhood obesity: inside the black box

In response to the dramatic rise in childhood obesity, particularly among low income individuals, federal nutrition assistance programs have come under scrutiny. However, the vast majority of this research focuses on the direct relationship between these programs and child health, while little is known about the mechanisms by which such relationships arise. Using the 2007 American Time Use Survey and the Eating and Health Module, we explore differences in time use—albeit in a non-causal framework—across families that participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the School Breakfast Program, and the National School Lunch Program to better understand behavioral differences across participants and non-participants. These differences have important implications for future research and policy.

Federal Nutrition Programs and Childhood Obesity: Inside the Black Box

In response to the dramatic rise in childhood obesity, particularly among low income individuals, federal nutrition assistance programs have come under scrutiny. However, the vast majority of this research focuses on the direct relationship between these programs and child health, while little is known about the mechanisms by which such relationships arise. Using the 2007 American Time Use Survey and the Eating and Health Module, we explore differences in time use across families that participate in the Supplemental Nutriation Assistance Program (SNAP), the School Breakfast Program (SBP), and the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) to better understand behavioral differences across participants and non-participants. These differences have important implications for future research and policy.

Priorities for evaluation of federal nutrition programs.

Journal Article Priorities for Evaluation of Federal Nutrition Programs Get access Nutrition Reviews, Volume 37, Issue 5, May 1979, Pages 157–159, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1753-4887.1979.tb06658.x Published: 01 May 1979

Using Focus Group Results to Inform Preschool Childhood Obesity Prevention Programming

Objective. This study about maternal feeding practices and beliefs was conducted as background for the development of a childhood obesity prevention program for multi-ethnic parents in the USA receiving services from a federal government supplemental nutrition program for low-income mothers. Design. Using a grounded theory approach, focus groups were conducted with low-income African American, white non-Hispanic (i.e. the majority Caucasian American population), Hispanic and Vietnamese parents to collect cross-cultural perspectives on: (a) infant and child feeding practices, (b) childhood overweight, (c) healthy dietary intake, (d) physical activity and inactivity, and (e) infant feeding information sources. Results. A content analysis of the data yielded three main themes common to all four groups: (a) lack of awareness of the relationship between increased physical activity and health, (b) the use of food to influence behavior, and (c) the loss of parental control over feeding when a child starts child care or school, and revealed perspectives on age-appropriate food, infant satiety, overweight and information sources that were specific to each group. Conclusion. Interventions that enhance parent self-efficacy that build on themes that are specific to ethnic groups toward preventing childhood obesity are needed. There is also a need for culturally appropriate information for governmental nutrition programs that is in the client's own language and takes into account ethnic differences in beliefs and traditions.

A Food Bank Collaborates with Federal Food Assistance Programs to Reduce Child Hunger

ABSTRACT Although the U.S. Department of Agriculture offers a summer feeding program for low-income children, less than one-quarter of eligible children participate. Another federal child nutrition program, the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), provides funding for snacks and meals served to after-school programs. The purpose of this paper is to describe how a local food bank became involved with these programs and grew statewide participation from 40,000 to 128,000 children in a 4-year period in the summer feeding program and more than doubled the number of meals served in CACFP. The use of the organization's community training kitchen is explained and the role of volunteers is highlighted in keeping program costs to a minimum. We hope that showcasing our successful experience with the Summer Food Service Program will encourage other food service operations to consider undertaking this worthwhile effort to help meet the nutritional needs of low-income children.

Food Security Among Older Adults in the United States

In 2003, 6.0% of elderly households experienced food insecurity because of lack of resources; 1.7% of elderly households experienced the most severe form of food insecurity—hunger. Elderly households that have low income, are minority, are socially isolated, or have physical or mental impairments are at higher risk for food insecurity and hunger. Food insecurity and hunger among elders contribute to malnutrition, which can exacerbate disease, increase disability, decrease resistance to infections, and extend hospitals stays. Utilizing federal nutrition programs, eating with others, and getting regular medical checkups are a few of the ways to reduce food insecurity among elders.

Programas de comercialização de alimentos: uma análise das modalidades de intervenção em interface com a cidadania

Este artigo trata da análise de dois programas sociais, circunscritos à esfera municipal, voltados à facilitação do acesso da população de baixa renda aos alimentos, através da comercialização de produtos a preços mais baixos em comparação àqueles praticados no mercado convencional de alimentos. Para tanto, são apresentados, em um primeiro momento, os principais programas de alimentação e nutrição já implementados em âmbito federal, conferindo destaque às principais modalidades de intervenção já utilizadas pelo Estado no sentido de implantar, operacionalizar e legitimar suas propostas no campo da alimentação e nutrição. Na seqüência, são abordados o histórico e as configurações dos programas Mercadão Popular e Armazém da Família desenvolvidos no município de Curitiba, Estado do Paraná, na tentativa de explicitar os elementos que lhes conferem singularidade. Por último, é empreendida a análise desses programas à luz do seu modelo de intervenção em interface com a cidadania, colocando em relevo a necessidade de se considerar a subjetividade.

Hunger in California: What interventions are needed?

Objective Although research exists on the nutritional status of individuals and families who seek emergency food, there is little guidance on what to do about it. Our purpose was to develop effective nutrition interventions to assist individuals and families seeking emergency food. Design and subjects Two survey instruments were used to collect data on 697 emergency food providers and 3,365 emergency food clients in 20 California counties between 1986 and 1990. Statistical analyses performed Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Results Information from the food providers who staff the emergency food sites revealed insufficient food to meet the growing demand, client difficulties in using the donated food, and the need for information to improve the safety and nutritional quality of the donated food. Information from the emergency food clients documented that 70.4% of them were families with children, 84% had incomes below the poverty level, and 20% reported no income at all. In addition, most clients (70%) were not enrolled in the food stamp program. Applications/conclusions In response to the surveys, counties initiated a variety of interventions, including public awareness campaigns, community development activities, and nutrition education programs. Important strategies are to teach recipients ways to optimize food resources, encourage eligible individuals to enroll in federal nutrition programs, and link individuals with agencies that offer assistance.

The Politics of Hunger: When Science and Ideology Clash

In recent years the WIC program, a federal nutrition program for poor mothers and babies, has become a major playing field for ideological forces hoping to shape public opinion and Congressional action on matters of domestic social policy. WIC's highly positive benefits have been distorted, research results from its scientific evaluation altered by high-level federal officials, and its public support undermined by an academic spokesman with ties to the White House and a stated desire to kill the program. While strong bipartisan support on Capitol Hill makes it likely that WIC will survive and even grow, distortion of its record provides insight into how ideological forces contaminate the well of reasoned discourse for their preconceived ends.

The Coordination of Federal and State Industrial Nutrition Programs

The Coordination of Federal and State Industrial Nutrition Programs