| dc.description.abstract | The postpartum period plays an important part in ensuring ideal maternal and child health. The main purpose of this study was to identify whether postpartum women participating in WIC are benefitting from the WIC Food Package (WIC-FP) revision. Three studies, a scoping review and two quantitative studies, were used to examine the impact of the WIC-FP revision on food consumption behaviors in postpartum WIC participants.
The first study, a scoping review, systemically reviewed existing literature on the impact of the WIC food package revision on rural postpartum WIC participants. Five articles were included in the review. Findings revealed that after the WIC-FP revision, there was an increase in fruit, vegetable, whole grain and low fat dairy consumption, as well as a decrease in whole milk consumption.
The second study assessed the impact of the WIC-FP revision on food consumption behaviors in rural postpartum WIC participants. Analyses included descriptive statistics, and a series of logistic regressions and multinomial logit models on 16,821 postpartum women participating in WIC before and after the WIC-FP revision. Findings revealed an increase in the likelihood of meeting the recommended daily amounts for fruit consumption after the WIC-FP revision compared to before. Furthermore, there was also an increased likelihood of consuming reduced fat or low fat/fat-free milk and a decreased likelihood of consuming whole milk after the revision compared to before.
The third study assessed the impact of the WIC-FP revision on food consumption behaviors in postpartum WIC participants residing in Texas. Descriptive statistics, and a series of logistic regressions and multinomial logit models were performed on 3,277 postpartum WIC participants residing in Texas before and after the WIC-FP revision. After the WIC-FP revision, there was an increase in the likelihood of meeting the daily recommended amounts for fruit consumption compared to before. Additionally, after the WIC-FP revision, participants were also more likely to consume reduced fat or low fat/fat free milk and less likely to consume whole milk compared to before.
Findings from this study will guide in the formulation of state and national policies and the design of targeted interventions to improve food consumption behaviors in postpartum WIC participants. | en |
