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Study Finds Improved Diets for Low-Income Women and Children

NHPR Staff Photo

The Department of Health and Human Services saysthat changes in the foods offered through the Women, Infants and Children Nutrition Program or WIC have resulted in improved diets. 

WIC is a national program that gives nutrition education and nutritious foods to pregnant women and new mothers with income up to 185% of the federal poverty line.

A national survey shows 74% more women in WIC are now eating fruits and vegetables three times a day.

Nutrition services manager, Lisa Richards says that the new food offerings were put in place in 2009 to give low-income families access to healthier choices.

"It clearly shows that families and children were interested in putting healthier choices in their diets," Richards says, "it’s interesting that over the years we were always encouraging families to be eating more fruits and vegetables and more whole grains, but now really we can meet that nutritional message by providing healthier foods."

The changes align the food available to WIC participants with FDA dietary guidelines.

Richards says the rules are part of the state’s response to rising childhood obesity.

 

 

Sam Evans-Brown has been working for New Hampshire Public Radio since 2010, when he began as a freelancer. He shifted gears in 2016 and began producing Outside/In, a podcast and radio show about “the natural world and how we use it.” His work has won him several awards, including two regional Edward R. Murrow awards, one national Murrow, and the Overseas Press Club of America's award for best environmental reporting in any medium. He studied Politics and Spanish at Bates College, and before reporting was variously employed as a Spanish teacher, farmer, bicycle mechanic, ski coach, research assistant, a wilderness trip leader and a technical supporter.
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