Work

Prenatal WIC Participation Is Associated with Gestational Weight Gain: A Secondary Analysis of United States Birth Records

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background: The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides breastfeeding support, nutritious supplemental foods, referrals to health care and social services, and nutrition counseling to eligible pregnant women. Evidence on maternal weight outcomes associated with prenatal WIC participation remains sparse. Objectives: This study aims to estimate the association between prenatal WIC participation and gestational weight gain (GWG). Methods: -scores (GWG z-scores) from prepregnancy-BMI-class-specific references, and categorized into tertiles (low, middle, high). GWG rate (pounds gained/per week during the 2nd and 3rd trimesters) was categorized as slow, adequate, or accelerated. We used propensity scores (PS) weighting to create a balanced comparison group of WIC-eligible non-WIC-participant mothers. Using PS-weighted log binomial regression, we estimated risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for high/accelerated and low/slow (compared with middle/adequate GWG as reference) GWG associated with prenatal WIC participation. Results: < 0.0001) was observed. Conclusions: Prenatal WIC participation provided support to modestly reduce low weight gain among WIC-eligible United States women, which may have limited clinical implications.

Source: Current Developments in Nutrition

DOI: 10.1016/j.cdnut.2025.107457

Authors: Susana L Matias, Caitlin D French

Institution: University of California, Berkeley

Language: English

Topic: Gestational Diabetes Research and Management

Subfield: Obstetrics and Gynecology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Zero hunger

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $5,000