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Disparities in Infant Nutrition: WIC Participation and Rates of Breastfeeding in Florida

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  • Sarah G. Buxbaum

    (College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health, Florida A & M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA)

  • Olumide Arigbede

    (College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health, Florida A & M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA)

  • Arlesia Mathis

    (College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health, Florida A & M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA)

  • Fran Close

    (College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health, Florida A & M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA)

  • Sandra G. Suther

    (College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health, Florida A & M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA)

  • Elizabeth Mazzio

    (College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health, Florida A & M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA)

  • Remelda Saunders-Jones

    (College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health, Florida A & M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA)

  • Karam F. A. Soliman

    (College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health, Florida A & M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA)

  • Selina F. Darling-Reed

    (College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health, Florida A & M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA)

Abstract

Being cognizant of the pronounced health advantages of breastfeeding for both the nursing mother and her infant, the breastfeeding dyad, we examined breastfeeding rates among Floridian women who gave birth from 2012 to 2014 ( N = 639,052). We investigated the associations between breastfeeding initiation and WIC-based breastfeeding support (the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children), education level, and race and ethnicity. We compared the percentage of breastfeeding mothers between those in the WIC program and those who were not, and we compared breastfeeding rates across racial and ethnic groups. Consistent with previous reports, black newborns in this study were breastfed at lower rates than other racial groups, and WIC program participants were less likely to breastfeed than non-WIC program participants. However, by breaking down the data by education level and race, and ethnicity, we see a significantly increased rate of breastfeeding due to WIC participation for both Hispanic and black women with less than a high school education. Further, we assessed differences by insurance type, race, and WIC participation. In multivariable logistic regression, we showed that the WIC program has a significant positive impact on breastfeeding rates for all but white non-Hispanic mothers, independent of sociodemographic and geographic variables. We also note a trend of increasing breastfeeding rates over the study period ( p -value < 0.0001), which has positive public health implications.

Suggested Citation

  • Sarah G. Buxbaum & Olumide Arigbede & Arlesia Mathis & Fran Close & Sandra G. Suther & Elizabeth Mazzio & Remelda Saunders-Jones & Karam F. A. Soliman & Selina F. Darling-Reed, 2023. "Disparities in Infant Nutrition: WIC Participation and Rates of Breastfeeding in Florida," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(11), pages 1-13, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:11:p:5988-:d:1158642
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lindsey Rose Bullinger & Tami Gurley-Calvez, 2016. "Wic Participation And Maternal Behavior: Breastfeeding And Work Leave," Contemporary Economic Policy, Western Economic Association International, vol. 34(1), pages 158-172, January.
    2. Sonchak, Lyudmyla, 2017. "The impact of WIC on breastfeeding initiation and gestational weight gain: Case study of South Carolina Medicaid mothers," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 115-125.
    3. Murtagh, L. & Moulton, A.D., 2011. "Working mothers, breastfeeding, and the law," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 101(2), pages 217-223.
    4. Jiang, Miao & Foster, E. Michael & Gibson-Davis, Christina M., 2010. "The effect of WIC on breastfeeding: A new look at an established relationship," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(2), pages 264-273, February.
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