Characteristics, Perceptions, and Dietary Intakes of WIC Participants in Rural Appalachia

ABSTRACT

Over the last decade, the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) has been transitioning to electronic food-benefits (eWIC). The North Carolina Appalachian Region was among the last to implement this transition, yet little is known about how eWIC influenced experiences in rural areas. This study examined potential differences in maternal shopping characteristics (MSC), perceptions, barriers, and dietary intakes by type of food-benefits used (paper food-benefits (PB) versus eWIC) among pregnant women and/or mothers in three rural counties in Western North Carolina. Our findings suggest eWIC has a positive impact on MSC and overall satisfaction in this region.

KEYWORDS:

• Federal nutrition program
• maternal barriers and perceptions
• WIC experience
• Rural Appalachia

Disclosure/Declaration of Interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Data Availability

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, SI, upon reasonable request.