A WIC-based intervention to prevent early childhood overweight.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the impact of a Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)-based intervention on the food and beverage intake, physical activity, and television watching of children ages 1-5.

DESIGN

Longitudinal surveys of intervention and control participants at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months.

RESULTS

Analysis of variance tests showed that the intervention had a small but significant impact on TV watching and fruit intake. The intervention was most protective for children younger than 2 years of age.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Although the impact of the intervention was relatively small and limited to the youngest children served by WIC, findings suggest that the WIC setting is appropriate for improving healthful behaviors that are linked to reducing the rates of early childhood overweight.