Healthy food for poor families has reversed childhood obesity in US
Research shows that a 2010 policy change helping low-income women to be able to afford fruit and vegetables apparently resulted in striking health benefits for children.
The New Food Economy reports that before 2009 families enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) would only be able to spend their benefits on milk, infant formula and a few other selected items. However, ten years ago the US Department of Agriculture greatly extended the list of items allowing WIC users to spend their benefits on fruit, vegetables and whole grains.
A recent study published in the Journal of American Medial Association finds that the rate of obesity in WIC children has dropped by 3.2% between 2010 - 2016. Although this may be a small decrease it is significant as it suggest long term positives. It is also meaningful because millions of children are WIC users.
Sustain is campaigning for every child in the UK to have a healthy start. Last year thousands of women and children missed out on a healthy eating scheme because they were not told about the free fruit and veg that were available for them. Write to your MP to make sure that no families miss out on this vital support next year.
Published Sunday 23 June 2019
Food Poverty: Millions of people in the UK struggle to get enough to eat. We’re working to change that through people-powered projects and campaigns that tackle the root causes of food poverty and ensure everyone has dignified access to healthy, affordable food.
