Early Engagement With WIC Services Predicts Continued Participation in the Program

A recent studyopens in new tab/window in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavioropens in new tab/window (JNEB), published by Elsevier, found that how families engage with the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) during the first months after the birth of a child may influence whether they remain enrolled through their child's first year.

Researchers analyzed data from 1,851 participants in the nationally representative WIC Infant and Toddler Feeding Practices Study-2. They examined which early experiences with WIC were associated with families leaving the program before their child reached 13 months of age.

About 15% of participants exited WIC early. Families were more likely to leave the program if they enrolled later in pregnancy, did not redeem all of their WIC food benefits, did not receive breastfeeding information from WIC, did not turn to WIC for infant feeding information, or were not participating in other public assistance programs.

The findings suggest that early engagement with WIC services --helping families connect with WIC nutrition education, breastfeeding resources, and food benefits --may encourage them to remain in the program and continue receiving its health and nutrition benefits.

WIC provides nutritious foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to health and social services for millions of women, infants, and young children each month. These findings suggest that strengthening participant engagement during pregnancy and early infancy may improve retention so that families receive the full benefits the program offers.

Notes for editors

The article is "Less Engagement With the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) in Early Infancy Predicts Early Exits from the Program," by Leslie Hodges, PhD; Cayley Ryan-Claytor, PhD; Amanda Reat, PhD; Karina Lora, PhD; Joanne Guthrie, PhD (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2025.12.013opens in new tab/window). It appears in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, Special Supplemental Assistance Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) - 50th Anniversary Special Issueopens in new tab/window (volume 58, issue7, supplement), published by Elsevier.

The article is openly available for 90 days at https://www.jneb.org/article/S1499-4046(25)00532-9/fulltextopens in new tab/window.

Full text of the article is also available to credentialed journalists upon request; contact Eileen Leahy at +1 732 406 1313 or [email protected]opens in new tab/window to obtain a copy. To schedule an interview with the author(s), please contact Leslie Hodges, PhD, at [email protected]opens in new tab/window.

An audio podcast featuring an interview with Leslie Hodges, PhD, and other information for journalists are available at https://www.jneb.org/content/mediaopens in new tab/window. Excerpts from the podcast may be reproduced by the media with permission from Eileen Leahy.

About the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior (JNEB)

The Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior (JNEB), the official journal of the Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior (SNEB), is a refereed, scientific periodical that serves as a resource for all professionals with an interest in nutrition education and dietary/physical activity behaviors. The purpose of JNEB is to document and disseminate original research, emerging issues, and practices relevant to nutrition education and behavior worldwide and to promote healthy, sustainable food choices. It supports the society’s efforts to disseminate innovative nutrition education strategies and communicate information on food, nutrition, and health issues to students, professionals, policy makers, targeted audiences, and the public.

The Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior features articles that provide new insights and useful findings related to nutrition education research, practice, and policy. The content areas of JNEB reflect the diverse interests of health, nutrition, education, Cooperative Extension, and other professionals working in areas related to nutrition education and behavior. As the Society's official journal, JNEB also includes occasional policy statements, issue perspectives, and member communications. www.jneb.orgopens in new tab/window

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