WIC Offers Tools For Positive Change
Through Nutrition and Physical Activity Education

As part of the 2004 WIC reauthorization, the definition of WIC nutrition education was expanded to include education designed to achieve positive change in physical activity habits. This will allow WIC to expand the education offered, helping clients establish healthy nutrition and activity habits for themselves and their children. The full definition of WIC nutrition education is now:

"The term "Nutrition Education" means individual and group sessions and the provision of materials that are designed to improve health and status and achieve positive change in dietary and physical activity habits, and that emphasize the relationship between nutrition, physical activity, and health, all in keeping with the personal and cultural preferences of the individual."

Congress expanded WIC to include physical activity in recognition of the current understanding that successful efforts to reduce overweight and obesity require both nutrition and activity education. This recognition was based on current science and on the success of the USDA funded innovative Fit WIC, a childhood obesity prevention project. The Fit WIC Manual and materials are posted on USDA's WIC Works website.

Background: WIC Nutrition Education

In addition to the food, WIC offers excellent nutrition education, teaching mothers about their specific nutritional needs and those of their infants and children. Participants also are taught how to shop for nutritious foods and how to prepare economical, well-balanced meals. WIC nutritionists at the national, state and local level have created effective nutrition education programs for a wide range of participants from many cultures.

See a summary of the 2004 WIC reauthorization provisions.

Factsheets on Child Nutrition Programs School Breakfast  |  School Lunch  |  Afterschool  |  Summer Food Women, Infants, and Children  |  Child and Adult Care Food Program

Prepared by the Food Research & Action Center, 1875 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20009; 202-986-2200; www.frac.org