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WIC Participation During Pregnancy and Low and Very Low Birth Weight by Race and Ethnicity
Resource type
Authors/contributors
- Sawadogo, Wendemi (Author)
- McGuire, Nicholas (Author)
- Evans, Marian (Author)
- Tangbe, Praise E. (Author)
Title
WIC Participation During Pregnancy and Low and Very Low Birth Weight by Race and Ethnicity
Abstract
Objective
To examine the association between the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) participation during pregnancy and birth weight by race and ethnicity on a national level.
Design
Retrospective cohort of US natality from 2014 to 2022.
Setting
All US states and Washington, DC.
Participants
First-time mothers of a live singleton birth covered by Medicaid with available data on WIC participation and birth weight.
Exposure
WIC participation during pregnancy (yes/no)
Main Outcome Measure
Low (< 2,500 g) and very low (< 1,500 g) birth weight.
Analysis
Multivariable logistic regression
Results
A total of 3,778,400 mothers covered by Medicaid were included in this analysis, of which 69.6% were WIC participants during pregnancy. The association between WIC participation and birth weight outcomes differed by race and ethnicity. After adjusting, WIC participants during pregnancy were 25%, 20%, 17%, and 10% less likely to give birth to low-weight infants compared with non-WIC participants for Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders, Black, American Indian or Alaskan Native, and White, respectively.
Conclusion and Implications
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children participation during pregnancy was associated with reduced low birth weight in all races and ethnicities. Improving WIC access and participation during pregnancy may support health equity in birth weight outcomes.
Publication
Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior
Date
2025-07-04
Journal Abbr
Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior
Citation Key
sawadogoWICParticipationPregnancy2025
Accessed
7/18/25, 1:01 PM
ISSN
1499-4046
Library Catalog
ScienceDirect
Citation
Sawadogo, W., McGuire, N., Evans, M., & Tangbe, P. E. (2025). WIC Participation During Pregnancy and Low and Very Low Birth Weight by Race and Ethnicity. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2025.06.002
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