Cornerstone of WIC Program Services Required by Federal Regulation

› Benefit available at no cost to client› Easily understood› Practical relationship to client’s nutritional

needs, household situation, cultural preferences

Goals of WIC Nutrition Education:› Emphasize the relationship between

nutrition, physical activity and health› Assist the individual at nutritional risk to

achieve a positive change in dietary and physical activity habits

› Improve nutritional status and prevent nutrition-related problems through use of WIC foods

Nutrition education is effective when:› It results in a positive nutrition-related

behavior change

Process of Delivering Effective Nutrition Education

Review WIC Nutrition Assessment› Determines eligibility for Program› Serves as basis for all other WIC services› Identifies client’s nutritional risk factors,

needs and concerns

Select Messages› Risk based› Reflect client nutrition concerns› Breastfeeding promotion› Anticipatory guidance for nutrition through

the lifecycle › Helps client set simple and attainable

goals

Select Counseling Methods/Teaching Strategies› Easily understood› Client-centered education› Fit client’s learning style› Interactive exchange of information with

client

Select Delivery Medium› One-on-One Counseling› Group Education› Electronic-computer or Web-based› Telephone

Select Informational/Environmental Reinforcements› Pamphlets› Newsletters› Bulletin Board› DVD/Videotapes› Take Home Activities

Select Follow-Up› Face-to-Face› Telephone› Electronic

Process of Delivering Effective Nutrition Education

Client in for certification Nutrition assessment identifies

nutritional risk and client concerns Counselor uses a face-to-face session

to address concerns and provide anticipatory guidance.

Pamphlets support message Plans made to follow-up with class in 3

months

Client certified as low-risk 3 months ago Scheduled for an interactive nutrition

center on using more fruits & vegetables Completes activities related to topic,

fills out evaluation, sets goal for change Handouts provided/DVD watched Scheduled for follow-up at next

certification