National WIC Association October 3, 2006

Congressional BriefingMore Healthy Choices for WIC

Moms & Kids Now!Urge Final Rule by Spring 2007

National WIC AssociationOctober 3, 2006

National WIC Association• NWA represents the staff of 88 State

Agencies, 2,200 Local Agencies, 10,000 WIC Clinics and the nutrition and health interests of WIC mothers and children

WIC Participation

WIC Serves:• 1 out of 2 infants born in the US• 1 out of 4 children aged 1 through 4• Over 8 million women, infants, and

children/month

What are the Benefits?• Quality nutrition education and

services• 7 monthly food packages• Breastfeeding promotion and

education• Access to maternal, prenatal, and

pediatric health-care & other social services

Who’s Eligible?• Pregnant or postpartum women,

infants, and children up to age 5• Income level less than or equal to

185% of the poverty level – for a family of four - $37,000

• Documented nutrition risk• Documented state residency

Income of WIC Participants

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

0% 1-50% 51-100%

101-150%

151-185%

Over185%

Percent Poverty Level

Perc

ent o

f Par

ticip

ants • Average income is

$14,758

• 57 % of participants live at or below the poverty line

Graph is based on PC 2004 data.

Current WIC Food Packages• Seven different food packages

• Include nutrients that were commonly lacking in the diets of low-income populations

• milk, eggs, cheese, peanut butter, dried beans and peas, 100% vitamin C-rich juices, iron-fortified cereals, tuna fish, and carrots, Iron-fortified infant formula and infant cereal

Time for a Change• Since WIC’s inception more than 30 years

ago:

– Significant demographic changes – New nutrition science emerged– Obesity epidemic a major public health

concern– Increased diet-related chronic diseases– Observed changes in the dietary pattern

and food supply

• Policy Paper 2000, “WIC Food Prescription Recommendations”:– Include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and

fiber-rich foods– Reduce the fat content of the overall food

packages and in specific food items

• Policy Paper 2003 “WIC Culturally Sensitive Food Prescription Recommendations”:– Include foods that address the diverse cultural

needs of WIC mothers and children

NWA’s Proposed Changes

Science Based Change• In 2003, IOM tasked by USDA to

review the WIC food packages based on current scientific information

• In 2005, IOM report proposed significant changes to the WIC food packages incorporating NWA recommendations

USDA Proposed Rule• USDA’s proposal to amend the WIC

Food Packages was published on August 7

• The proposed changes largely reflect recommendations made by IOM

USDA’s Proposed Changes • Consistent with the Dietary

Guidelines for Americans 2005 – More fruits and vegetables!

Cash-value voucher: $8 for women & $6 for children

Baby fruits & vegetables for infants 6 months and older

USDA’s Proposed Changes • Emphasis on whole grains

– Addition of whole grain cereals, whole grain bread and other whole grain options (e.g., brown rice, soft corn or whole wheat tortillas)

• Lower saturated fat and cholesterol– Dairy products and eggs in more

appropriate quantities

USDA’s Proposed Changes • Lower saturated fat and cholesterol

Reduce fat content of milk - no more than 2% milk fat for women and children 2 years and older

Reduce eggs - 2 dozen eggs for fully breastfeeding women, 1 dozen eggs for children and women

Reduce cheese - 1 pound of cheese for fully breastfeeding women and 1 pound of cheese as a milk substitute for children and Women

USDA’s Proposed Changes• Appeal to Diverse Populations:

– Increase cultural acceptability by adding:Calcium-set tofu, calcium-and vitamin-D

rich soy beverage (“soy milk”)Different forms of beans and peas

(canned or dry)Canned fish choices (i.e., light tuna,

salmon, and sardines)

USDA’s Proposed Changes• Follow infant feeding guidelines of AAP:

– Reduce fruit juice for children ages 1-5 to recommended quantities of 4 fl oz/day

– Eliminate juice for infants 6 months and older providing fruits/vegetables instead

– Delay baby foods e.g., cereals, etc., until after 6 months of age

USDA’s Proposed Changes• Support and promote breastfeeding:

– Exclusively breastfeeding mother/infant pairs receive greater quantities and wider varieties of foods, for example:Twice the amount of baby food fruits &

vegetables and baby food meats More dairy products, eggs, and

legumes/peanut butter for BF moms

USDA’s Proposed Changes• Improving Nutritional Content of WIC

Food Packages:– Increases nearly all of the priority

nutrients– Reduces excessive nutrients, saturated

fat and cholesterol

USDA’s Proposed Changes

Implementation will:• Supply a reliable source of supplemental

nutritious foods • Provide tools to reinforce nutrition

education provided by WIC professionals• Help WIC mothers and children establish

dietary patterns that promote life-long good nutritional health

Timeline for the Proposed Rule

• The comment period ends Nov. 6• The Department will need several

months (?) to review the comments

How Can You Help WIC Moms & Kids?

• Send a letter to USDA supporting the proposed rule

• Refer to NWA model comments and talking points on www.nwica.org

• Urge USDA to publish the final rule spring 2007