Childhood obesity prevention in the women, infants, and children program: Outcomes of the MA‐CORD study. Issue 7 (July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Woo Baidal, Jennifer A.; Nelson, Candace C.; Perkins, Meghan; Colchamiro, Rachel; Leung‐Strle, Peggy; Kwass, Jo‐Ann; Gortmaker, Steve L.; Davison, Kirsten K.; Taveras, Elsie M.
• Is Part Of: Obesity. Volume 25:Issue 7(2017)
• Page Start: 1167
• Page End: 1174
• Publication Date: 2017-07
• Subjects: Obesity -- Periodicals; 616.398005
• DOI: 10.1002/oby.21865
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1930-7381

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: To examine the extent to which a Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) intervention improved BMI z scores and obesity‐related behaviors among children age 2 to 4 years. Methods: In two Massachusetts communities, practice changes in WIC were implemented as part of the Massachusetts Childhood Obesity Research Demonstration (MA‐CORD) initiative to prevent obesity among low‐income children. One WIC program was the comparison. Changes in BMI z scores pre and post intervention and prevalence of obesity‐related behaviors of WIC participants were assessed. Linear mixed models were used to examine BMI z score change, and logistic regression models were used to examine changes in obesity‐related behaviors in each intervention site versus comparison over 2 years. Results: WIC‐enrolled children in both intervention sites (vs. comparison) had improved sugar‐sweetened beverage consumption and sleep duration. Compared to the comparison WIC program ( n = 626), no differences were observed in BMI z score among children in Intervention Site #1 ( n = 198) or #2 ( n = 637). In sensitivity analyses excluding Asian children, a small decline was observed in BMI z score (−0.08 units/y [95% confidence interval: −0.14 to −0.02], P = 0.01) in Intervention Site #2 versus comparison. Conclusions: Among children enrolled in WIC, the MA‐CORD intervention was associated with reduced prevalence of obesity risk factors in both intervention communities and a small improvement in BMI z scores in one of two intervention communities in non‐Asian children.