Health Watch/Jean Ballone, M.S.R.D.

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children is a food and nutrition program funded by the USDA through the Michigan Department of Community Health. This program is commonly referred to as WIC. The WIC program is locally provided by Western Upper Peninsula Health Department.

WIC services pregnant, breastfeeding and non-lactating women, along with infants and children up to the age of five. The families who participate in WIC must meet income guidelines and have a nutrition/health risk. Families will qualify for WIC if their income is at or below 185% Federal Poverty Income Guidelines or on Medicaid or food stamps. Examples of nutrition and health risks could be, but not limited, to not eating enough vegetables or high blood pressure.

The foods provided by WIC are chosen due to their nutritional content. The foods provided by WIC were recently updated to provide healthier choices to clients. The new foods include an allotted cash amount for fresh fruit and vegetables. The dollar amount ranges from $6 to $10 depending on whether the client is a child or a pregnant, breastfeeding or a non-lactating woman

Clients may purchase any fresh fruit and vegetables, except white potatoes or fruits and vegetables with added sugar, seasonings or fat. Another new addition to available foods is whole breads and tortillas. Clients are now able to purchase canned legumes/beans. Infant juices have now been replaced with baby food. Clients will be able to purchase single ingredient infant fruit and vegetables. Infants who are exclusively breast-fed also will receive jars of infant meats. All infants will continue to receive infant cereal at 6 months of age.

The foods that were previously provided by WIC have now been changed to better meet the USDA guidelines. To promote whole grains, the number of cereals that contain whole grains has been increased. In order to lower the amount of fat in clients' diets, the amount of cheese allowed has been decreased and only low-fat milk is available to clients over the age of 2. The juice also has been decreased to meet the recommendation of the American Pediatric Association of 4 to 6 ounces per day.

Promoting breastfeeding continues to be a major focus of WIC. WIC would like all women to breastfeed for the child's first year of life. However, WIC does acknowledge that not all women choose or are able to breastfeed. Thus, WIC continues to provide formula to women who do not breastfeed. Breastfeeding women are able to receive WIC foods until their infants turn 1 year old. WIC recognizes that breastfeeding women have higher nutritional needs, therefore breastfeeding women receive more food benefits than other women on WIC.

WIC also provides nutrition education to its clients. Common educational topics include prenatal nutrition, breastfeeding, food safety, dental health and child nutrition. Breastfeeding support is also provided to our breastfeeding families. WIC also will refer our clients to other resources that may be helpful to them, such as Medicaid, food stamps, immunizations, local play groups or the Maternal Infant Health Program.

Nutrition education and healthy foods are not the only benefits of the WIC Program. Pregnant women who participate in WIC have been shown to have earlier prenatal care, better diets, and healthier pregnancy outcomes. WIC also has helped reduce the rate of low birth weight infants and infant mortality. Preschool children who are enrolled in WIC also have a lower rate of anemia. Additionally, WIC saves money for medical expenses. For every dollar spent by WIC, approximately $3.50 is saved in medical costs.

If you are interested in more information regarding the WIC Program, please call the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department at 482-7382.

Editor's note: Jean Ballone, M.S.R.D., is a registered dietitian and the WIC coordinator at the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department, an equal opportunity provider.