Overweight trends among children enrolled in the New York State special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children.

The objective of this study is to describe overweight trends in a large, multiethnic, low-income population of preschool children by race/ethnicity and examine cohort changes in body mass index (BMI) distribution. Cross-sectional data were collected January 1 through March 31, every year, from 1989 to 2003. Subjects were children aged 2 to 4 years participating in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children in New York State.

A comparative analysis of effects of early versus late prenatal WIC participation on birth weight: NYS, 1995.

Objectives: This study examined the effects of prenatal participation in the NYS WIC Program on birth weight through enhanced control of selection bias and gestational age bias. Program effects were assessed separately for White, Black, and Hispanic women and subpopulations defined by values of Kotelchuck index of adequacy of prenatal care utilization.

Methods: 1995 New York State Vital Statistics records were linked to WIC certifications, administrative and check redemption files, and to the 1990 federal census of NY county level data.

Barriers to the use of WIC services.

Objectives: To identify barriers that deter parents/caretakers of infants and children enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) from taking full advantage of the services provided by the program.

Subjects/setting: A total of 3,167 parents/caretakers at 51 New York State WIC local agency sites completed a barriers survey.

Design: Sixty-eight potential barriers to WIC were identified through a literature review, five focus groups with parents/caretakers of WIC participants, and an expert review panel.