WIC Increases Children. s Vitamin Intake

April 20, 2000

A USDA study shows the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants and children (WIC) significantly increases children. s intakes of iron, vitamin B-6 and folate. Children in the WIC program increased their intake of iron by the equivalent of almost 21% of the nutrient. s recommended daily allowance.

Children participating in the WIC increased their intake of vitamin B-6 by 23% and folate by 91% of the RDA. Increased intake of the nutrients was not due to increased caloric intake, the study said. WIC. s effect on the intakes of calcium, protein, zinc and vitamins C and A was statistically insignificant.

The findings on iron and vitamin B-6 are important especially since a large percentage of children regardless of WIC status failed to meet the RDA for these nutrients, said USDA.

"A relatively large percentage of children participating in WIC, in addition to being poor and at nutritional risk, came from single-headed households and households headed by persons with low education levels, characteristics that, one could argue, would make them especially vulnerable to low nutrient intake," said the report.