Objective
To assess nutrient intakes after the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women,
Infants, and Children (WIC) package changes within an at-risk, majority Hispanic population
of WIC infants and toddlers in Central Texas.
Methods
For this cross-sectional observational study, Nutrition Data System for Research was
used to collect 24-hour recalls of infants and toddlers from a sample of caregivers
in 2009 and 2011. Usual nutrient intakes were estimated and compared with Dietary
Reference Intakes using the National Cancer Institute method. Mean single-day nutrient
intakes were compared using Mann-Whitney tests.
Results
Subjects were children ages 4–24 months (2009, n = 84; 2011, n = 120). After the package
change, usual energy intakes exceeded recommended levels for infants (79% in excess
of Estimated Energy Requirement), but fell below recommended levels for toddlers (88%
below Estimated Energy Requirement). Also after the package change, mean usual intake
of vitamin D was below the Estimated Average Requirement for toddlers (6.54 vs 10
μg), and mean usual intakes of vitamin A and zinc exceeded the Tolerable Upper Intake
Level for all groups.
Conclusions and Implications
Whereas lower energy intake may reduce obesity risk, in toddlers, lower energy intake
increases risk for micronutrient deficiencies. Recommendations include culturally
appropriate education and reinstatement of previous milk allotment in the toddler
package.
Key Words
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