WIC is a supplemental nutrition program that helps women, infants and young children eat well and st

1

What is WIC?

• WIC is a supplemental nutrition program that
  helps women, infants and young children eat well
  and stay healthy by providing
• nutrition education
• breastfeeding education and support
• health screening
• community referrals and
• supplemental foods

2
Medical/Nutritional Risk

• Each WIC participant must have a
  medical/nutritional reason to be on the WIC
  program.
• You or your childs risk factor(s) are..

3
Nutrition Education
WIC provides every participant or caregiver with
the opportunity to participate in nutrition
education.

• which emphasizes the relationship between proper
  nutrition and good health,
• assists the participant in achieving a positive
  change in food habits,
• all participants are encouraged to participate.

4
Advantages of Breastfeeding

• WIC encourages all prenatal women to breastfeed.
  
• Here are a few reasons why
• fewer ear infections
• less respiratory illness
• less diarrhea and constipation
• more convenience
• saves money
• improves post-partum weight loss

5
Substance Abuse

• Refers to the use of legal or illegal substances
  which cause an individual to have physical
  health, legal, social, or financial problems
  including endangering your life or the lives of
  others.
• A list of local resources for drug and other
  harmful substance abuse counseling and treatment
  centers will be provided.

6
WIC Food Package

• The WIC food package is a prescription to meet
  you or your childs individual nutritional needs
  and is a supplement to a complete balanced diet.

7
WIC Food Package

• WIC approved foods
• Milk, cheese
• Eggs
• Cereal, Juice
• Peanut Butter or Dried Beans Peas
• Carrots Tuna (exclusively breastfeeding moms
  only)
• Infant formula

8
Nutrients found in WIC Foods

• Iron-Necessary for making healthy red blood
  cells.
• Cereals, dried beans, peas and lentils, eggs,
  peanut butter and tuna.
• Calcium-Strong bones and teeth helps muscles
  work.
• Milk, cheese,dried beans, peas and lentils.
• Vit C-Helps body use Iron. Helps fight
  infections.
• Juice
• Vit A-Healthy eyes, skin and bones.
• Milk, cheese, egg(yolk) and carrots.
• Vit D-Strong bones and teeth.
• Milk and egg(yolk).

9
Nutrients found in WIC Foods

• Folate-Helps make healthy red blood cells.
• Cereal (folacin fortified), eggs, orange juice,
  dried beans, peas and lentils.
• Protein-Necessary for growth, upkeep and repair
  of body.
• Milk, cheese, eggs, dried beans, peas and
  lentils, peanut butter and tuna.
• Zinc-Needed for cell growth and repair.
• Cereal (fortified with zinc) and eggs
• Vit B6-Needed for normal growth.
• Eggs, peanut butter, and cereal (fortified
• with B6).

10
Importance of Health Care

• WIC encourages women to seek early prenatal care
  which promotes a positive health outcome for mom
  and baby.
• WIC encourages all infants and children to
  receive consistent health care which promotes a
  healthier outcome.

11

Referral Information For

• Department of Family Services (DFS)MO HealthNet
  (Medicaid), Food Stamps, TANF
• Community ResourceEmergency food, shelter,
  financial assistance, etc.
• Substance UsageDrug Assistance Program.

12
References

• Missouri Department of Health and Senior
  Services--Nutrition Services and WIC. Welcome to
  WIC Pamphlet.
• Missouri Department of Health and Senior
  ServicesWIC Operations Manual Initial Nutrition
  Education Contact (ER2.06000)
• Original power point presentation developed by
  Truman Medical Corporation WIC Program and
  modified by MO WIC Program on 5/10/08.