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Description:
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A valid and reliable survey was developed and conducted to identify the difference between children ages 2 to 5 participating in the Texas Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women , Infants , and Children (WIC ) program whose nutritional risk of overweight persisted (remained overweight ) versus those whose condition resolved (shifted from overweight to normal weight ) after at least three re -certifications in the program . The purpose of the survey was to provide an in -depth analysis on the possible contributors to these differences . The questions in the survey included categories based on demographic characteristics , feeding practices , beliefs , knowledge , current lifestyle and eating behaviors , and a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ ) . The survey was administered to a randomly selected sample of parents /guardians of WIC children from the eleven health regions in Texas . Out of 1 ,000 surveys , 445 surveys were completed , 46 % by parents /guardians of children in the overweight persistent group and 54 % by parents /guardians of children in the non -persistent group . The survey showed some differences in the demographic characteristics between the children who remained overweight versus those whose condition resolved after participation in the WIC program . Other differences were seen in lifestyle and eating patterns of the child , and parental perceptions about the child and participation in the WIC program . The survey also identified predictors of parental perceptions among those who remained overweight . These findings will assist WIC staff in planning more effective intervention strategies to improve the weight status in this population . |