Study: WIC Food Improves Diet Quality Of Young Children

Malnutrition and obesity are one of the growing concerns among children. Most, if not all, failed to practice a healthy diet. A new study suggests that eating more fruits and vegetables will improve the diet quality among children.

WIC Food Package Offers Healthier Food

According to a new study, the special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) added more vegetables, fruits, whole grains and low-fat milk in their food voucher and this resulted in a better diet among four million children, Science Daily reported.

According to June Tester, lead author of the study, the result only revealed the significant progress for greens and bean consumption. However, other than adding more vegetables in the new WIC food  package, they also add more whole grains and whole fruits in the voucher instead of fruit juices.

Tester is positive with the results because according to her "all show trends in the right direction." She is also hopeful that further studies will be made after several years, following this landmark change in the WIC food package that they currently provide to their members.

Eating Nutritious Food Helps Children Establish Healthier Eating Patterns

In the said study, the team calculated the Healthy Eating Index, with a possible score of 100 points depending on one's adherence to the dietary guidelines. Children under WIC experienced an increase in this score from 52.4 to 58.3 after the program changed their policy and included more vegetables and fruits in the WIC food package.

Thus, parents should encourage their kids to eat more vegetables and fruits because this improves their youngster's quality of diet. Tested added that although vegetables are part of any good and healthy diet, children don't eat a sufficient amount of it.

"Increasing consumption of nutritious foods such as green leafy vegetables and whole grains in the low-income children served by WIC will help them establish healthier eating patterns for their future," said co-author Patricia Crawford.

Greens and Fruits are Essential in Children's Diet

Per Mayo Clinic, in their nutrition guideline for kids, children should consume protein, fruits, vegetables, grains and dairy. Most of these foods are found in the WIC food package, which reasonably improves the children's diet.

According to BetterHealth, greens and fruits are essential in children's diet. These types of food provide important vitamins like vitamin C and folic acid that helps strengthen the body's immune system. They also contain other substances that help reduce one's risk of cancer and heart diseases.

The study notes that practicing a healthy diet is critical for preschool children, especially that one in every five children who enters elementary school is overweight. These children should learn to set their eating pattern in a healthy way.

Do you encourage your children to eat fruits and vegetables? How do you convince your little one to do so? Share your tips and tricks below.