WIC may contribute to reduced obesity among recipients

By Dennis Archambault
Proponents of the of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) got a boost this month with a research article citing reduced obesity prevalence among WIC recipients. The article (https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2735808), published June 18, notes that obesity prevalence among WIC recipients increased from 2000-2010, but statistically significant reductions have occurred through 2014.

Reauthorization legislation is being drafted in the U.S. Senate and House, with bipartisan support. Sen. Pat Roberts is expected to introduce the bill in the Senate. Reauthorization of the WIC program is “critically important,” says William Dietz, M.D., a Georgetown University professor and expert in childhood obesity. He is co-chair of the MOTION Coalition on childhood obesity at Authority Health.

Dennis Archambault is vice president for Public Affairs at Authority Health.