Less Engagement With the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) in Early Infancy Predicts Early Exits from the Program

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

2-12-2026

Journal

Journal of nutrition education and behavior

DOI

10.1016/j.jneb.2025.12.013

Keywords

WIC; breastfeeding; humans; infant; pregnancy

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Examine how engagement with the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) during the first few months after birth influences continued participation. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of longitudinal data from the WIC Infant Toddler Feeding Practices Study-2. SETTING: Eighty WIC sites. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1,851 study participants completed each postnatal interview through 13 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Early exit from WIC (not receiving WIC benefits 6-13 months after birth). ANALYSIS: We predicted early exits as a function of engagement with WIC from enrollment to 5 months after birth using multivariable probit regression models. RESULTS: Study participants were more likely to leave WIC early if they enrolled later in pregnancy (P < 0.05), did not use all WIC food benefits (P < 0.001), did not receive information from WIC on breastfeeding (P < 0.01), did not turn to WIC for information about infant feeding (P < 0.05), or did not use other public assistance programs (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: For participants who initially enroll in WIC, our findings suggest that practices that promote the use of food benefits, reach WIC participants with breastfeeding information, and lead them to look at WIC as a valued source of infant feeding information may promote retention.

Department

Exercise and Nutrition Sciences

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