Effect of income and WIC on the dietary intake of preschoolers: results of a preliminary study.

Dietary composition of energy and four nutrients targeted by the Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) were assessed among a random sample of 106 children aged 1 to 5 years. Fifty-one percent of children were from households with incomes above WIC eligibility levels. Of the 49% of children from households eligible for WIC by income, 42% participated in WIC. Children from low-income households were significantly more likely to have low dietary intakes of energy, vitamin C, and iron than children from higher-income households. Low-income children participating in WIC were significantly less likely to have low iron intakes than children who were eligible by income level but not participating in WIC. The percentage of children with low intakes of vitamin A and calcium did not significantly vary by household income level or by participation in WIC. Data from this preliminary study indicate that low-income children in the sample surveyed are at higher risk for consuming diets low in energy and two of four nutrients targeted by the WIC program than are children from higher-income households and that participation in WIC improves the iron intake of low-income children.