Abstract

To evaluate the impact of the 2009 food package changes for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) on the availability of healthful food.Survey of all food stores in the study area before and after the changes were implemented.Two low-income neighborhoods in Philadelphia, 1 predominantly African-American, the other predominantly Hispanic.One hundred forty one supermarkets, grocery stores, and non-chain corner stores identified through field enumeration.Nutrition Environment Measure Survey for Stores (NEMS-S) to determine availability, price, and quality of fruit, vegetables, milk, cereal, beans, canned fish, meat, whole grains, and juice.Comparison of NEMS-S scores before and after food package changes using t tests and ordinary least squares regression to understand the role of supermarket status, WIC participation, and racial and income composition in predicting NEMS-S scores; geographic information systems to calculate proximity of residents to food stores.The availability of healthful food increased significantly in stores, overall, with more substantial increases in WIC-authorized stores. Supermarket status, WIC retail status, and NEMS-S scores at baseline were significant predictors of NEMS-S scores after the food package changes.Changes in the WIC food package were associated with increased availability of healthful food in 2 low-income neighborhoods.

View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jneb.2011.08.004

View details for Web of Science ID 000306065400004

View details for PubMedID 22405817