The US should provide more whole grains, fruit and vegetables under its Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, called the WIC program, one of the biggest federal food schemes, according to an expert report.
Go deeper with GlobalData
The Institute of Medicine of the National Academies proposes a number of changes to the WIC programme to encourage participants to consume more whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, as well as to promote breast-feeding, among other goals, it said. “The recommendations also are the first effort to apply the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans to a national food program,” it said.
“Because scientific knowledge about nutrition has greatly increased since the WIC program’s inception, and the nutritional challenges facing families have altered significantly, it is definitely time for a change in the foods offered through WIC,” said Suzanne P. Murphy, chair of the committee that wrote the report and research professor, Cancer Research Center of Hawaii, University of Hawaii, Honolulu.
“We now know much more about the links between nutrition and chronic diseases, plus the nation is in the midst of an obesity epidemic,” she said. “Our proposed revisions would bring the foods provided through WIC up to date with current nutritional science and make it easier for participants to improve their diets and health.”
In 2000 the WIC program served about half of all US infants and about a quarter of children ages 1 through 4, along with many of their mothers.
How well do you really know your competitors?
Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.
Thank you!
Your download email will arrive shortly
Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample
We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form
By GlobalData
