Preschool enrollment is associated with lower odds of childhood obesity among WIC participants in LA County.

The prevalence of obesity among children in the United States has increased rapidly during the past few decades. Research into social and behavioral determinants of obesity could lead to innovative strategies for prevention. The objective of the present study was to examine the association between childhood obesity and preschool enrollment and number of hours in child care among low-income preschool-aged children who were participants in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC).

A WIC-based intervention to prevent early childhood overweight.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of a Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)-based intervention on the food and beverage intake, physical activity, and television watching of children ages 1-5.

Design: Longitudinal surveys of intervention and control participants at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months.

Results: Analysis of variance tests showed that the intervention had a small but significant impact on TV watching and fruit intake.