Nutritional status of children participating in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children--United States, 1988-1991.

Recent increases in the prevalence of overweight among school-aged children (1) and adults (2) in the United States have prompted concern about an increase in overweight among preschool-aged children and a possible association with the foods provided by the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). To assess and compare weight status and nutrient intake among WIC participants and other low-income children, CDC analyzed data from phase 1 of the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III), 1988-1991. This report summarizes the results of this analysis, which indicate that foods provided by WIC are not associated with increased overweight among preschool-aged children.