Household participation in the Food Stamp and WIC programs increases the nutrient intakes of preschool children.

We examined the effects of household participation in the Food Stamp and WIC Nutrition Programs on the nutrient intakes of preschoolers using data from the 1989-1991 Continuing Survey of Food Intake by Individuals. Nonbreastfeeding children, 1-4 y of age, with 3 d of dietary data and whose households had incomes < 130% of the poverty level were included in the study sample (n = 499). Nutrient adequacy ratios for each of 15 nutrients were the dependent variables in multiple regression models that controlled for the following: age, sex and ethnicity of the individual; income, size and location of the household; schooling of the household head; home ownership; school lunch and breakfast participation; and season in which the interview was conducted. WIC benefits positively influenced (P < 0. 05) the intakes of 10 nutrients. For iron and zinc, the average increase due to WIC represented 16.6 and 10.6%, respectively, of the preschooler recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for these nutrients. The same analyses of the Food Stamp Program revealed increases in five nutrients. For iron and zinc, the average increase due to Food Stamps represented 12.3 and 9.2%, respectively, of the preschooler RDA. The effects of the WIC Program on the intakes of iron and zinc were greater than that of cash income, and neither program affected the intakes of fat, saturated fat or cholesterol.