Scholarlink

<p>Malnutrition, in its various forms, remains a public health concern in the U.S., particularly for pregnant women and children. To combat this issue, the U.S. government implemented several initiatives, including the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), a program targeted to pregnant and postpartum women at nutritional risk and children under five. With the level of investment in this program and the amount of women and children participants, it is imperative to determine the impact of this program on gestational and childhood health and identify persistent inequities. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate existing data regarding the impact of WIC participation on gestational and childhood health outcomes in the U.S. Keyword searches were conducted on 5 databases, namely CINAHL, PubMed, ERIC, APA PsycInfo, and APA Psycarticles. The search was restricted to peer-reviewed articles published from 2015 to 2025. After following PRISMA guidelines, 34 studies were deemed eligible and included in the review. This review discovered that WIC beneficially impacts maternal, birth and early childhood health outcomes, encompassing gestational weight gain, maternal depression, preterm birth, low birth weight, infant mortality, obesity, and neurodevelopmental health. Additionally, WIC’s impact on breastfeeding and formula use was found to indirectly impact early childhood health outcomes. However, results were not consistent, with some studies reporting no association or adverse effects. Further, the effect of WIC participation was influenced by race and socioeconomic status. Future studies need to prioritize the clarification of the causal link between WIC and health outcomes.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Effect of WIC participation on gestational and childhood health

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月25日

查看全文
  • Wuraola Ruth Awosan,
  • Fredrick Olusegun Akinyosoye,
  • Perseverance Nothando Moyo,
  • Akuchinyere Onyinye Titus-Okpanachi,
  • Prince Osei Sarpong,
  • David Sokoyebomi Oluwafemi Abafi,
  • Adaoma Anthonia Aghaduno

摘要

Malnutrition, in its various forms, remains a public health concern in the U.S., particularly for pregnant women and children. To combat this issue, the U.S. government implemented several initiatives, including the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), a program targeted to pregnant and postpartum women at nutritional risk and children under five. With the level of investment in this program and the amount of women and children participants, it is imperative to determine the impact of this program on gestational and childhood health and identify persistent inequities. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate existing data regarding the impact of WIC participation on gestational and childhood health outcomes in the U.S. Keyword searches were conducted on 5 databases, namely CINAHL, PubMed, ERIC, APA PsycInfo, and APA Psycarticles. The search was restricted to peer-reviewed articles published from 2015 to 2025. After following PRISMA guidelines, 34 studies were deemed eligible and included in the review. This review discovered that WIC beneficially impacts maternal, birth and early childhood health outcomes, encompassing gestational weight gain, maternal depression, preterm birth, low birth weight, infant mortality, obesity, and neurodevelopmental health. Additionally, WIC’s impact on breastfeeding and formula use was found to indirectly impact early childhood health outcomes. However, results were not consistent, with some studies reporting no association or adverse effects. Further, the effect of WIC participation was influenced by race and socioeconomic status. Future studies need to prioritize the clarification of the causal link between WIC and health outcomes.