Altarum Institute Policy Roundtable

Cosponsored by the National WIC Association

Can WIC Play a Role in Stemming the Childhood Obesity Epidemic?

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Can WIC Play a Role in Stemming Childhood Obesity?

Maxine Hayes, MD, MPHWashington State Health Officer

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YES!

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Getting it right in the beginning is getting it right!

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▲Serves half of all infants in the country

▲Connects families to preventive health services

WIC has a long reach

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WIC saves health care dollars

▲Every $1 spent in WIC saves up to $3.50

▲WIC moms are 50% less likely to have a very low birth weight infant

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WIC’s Core Mission: Nutrition and Breastfeeding Support

▲WIC is unique – combining health services with access to healthy foods

▲No other program does this

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Not breastfeeding is a missed opportunity for

▲ Better health for children

▲ Better health for women

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More partners needed for breastfeeding promotion and support

▲ Hospitals

▲ Work sites

▲ Media and social marketing

▲ Professional support

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WIC’s new food rule and childhood obesity

▲Now WIC foods are even more nutrient-dense

▲Policies about WIC foods are even more supportive of breastfeeding

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WIC is a successful program

▲WIC is a key partner in childhood obesity prevention

▲Other partners are emerging

▲Help WIC do what it does best!