1. Altarum Institute Policy Roundtable Cosponsored by the National WIC Association Can WIC Play a Role in Stemming the Childhood Obesity Epidemic?

2. 2 Can WIC Play a Role in Stemming Childhood Obesity? Maxine Hayes, MD, MPH Washington State Health Officer

3. 3 YES!

4. 4 Getting it right in the beginning is getting it right!

5. 5 ▲ Serves half of all infants in the country ▲ Connects families to preventive health services WIC has a long reach

6. 6 WIC saves health care dollars ▲ Every $1 spent in WIC saves up to $3.50 ▲ WIC moms are 50% less likely to have a very low birth weight infant

7. 7 WIC’s Core Mission: Nutrition and Breastfeeding Support ▲ WIC is unique – combining health services with access to healthy foods ▲ No other program does this

8. 8 Not breastfeeding is a missed opportunity for ▲ Better health for children ▲ Better health for women

9. 9 More partners needed for breastfeeding promotion and support ▲ Hospitals ▲ Work sites ▲ Media and social marketing ▲ Professional support

10. 10

11. 11 WIC’s new food rule and childhood obesity ▲ Now WIC foods are even more nutrient- dense ▲ Policies about WIC foods are even more supportive of breastfeeding

12. 12 WIC is a successful program ▲ WIC is a key partner in childhood obesity prevention ▲ Other partners are emerging ▲ Help WIC do what it does best!