HOUSEHOLD PARTICIPATION IN THE FOOD STAMP AND WIC PROGRAMS INCREASES THE NUTRIENT INTAKES OF PRESCHOOL-CHILDREN

We examined the effects of household participation in the Food Stamp a nd WIC Nutrition Programs on the nutrient intakes of preschoolers usin g data from the 1989-1991 Continuing Survey of Food Intake by Individu als. Nonbreastfeeding children, 1-4 y of age, with 3 d of dietary data and whose households had incomes < 130% of the poverty level were inc luded in the study sample (n = 499). Nutrient adequacy ratios for each of 15 nutrients were the dependent variables in multiple regression m odels that controlled for the following: age, sex and ethnicity of the individual; income, size and location of the household; schooling of the household head; home ownership; school lunch and breakfast partici pation; and season in which the interview was conducted. WIC benefits positively influenced (P < 0.05) the intakes of 10 nutrients. For iron and zinc, the average increase due to WIC represented 16.6 and 10.6%, respectively, of the preschooler recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for these nutrients. The same analyses of the Food Stamp Program revea led increases in five nutrients. For iron and zinc, the average increa se due to Food Stamps represented 12.3 and 9.2%, respectively, of the preschooler RDA. The effects of the WIC Program on the intakes of iron and zinc were greater than that of cash income, and neither program a ffected the intakes of fat, saturated fat or cholesterol.