Which outcome is expected from the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program?

The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program is designed primarily to improve the nutritional status of low-income pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, infants, and children up to age five. One of the key outcomes expected from this program is a reduction in the prevalence of anemia among these populations. Anemia, often characterized by low hemoglobin (Hg) levels, can be particularly concerning during pregnancy and early childhood development.

WIC provides nutritional education and assistance through nutritious foods that are specifically aimed at improving iron status and overall dietary quality. By supplying iron-rich foods, educational resources on nutrition, and support for breastfeeding, WIC helps to increase hemoglobin levels and reduce the risk of anemia in both mothers and their young children. Therefore, seeing less anemia along with higher hemoglobin and hematocrit (HT) levels is a direct result of the effective interventions and services offered by the WIC program.

While other options may reflect potential benefits of the program, such as improved nutrition education, reduced childhood obesity, and better access to healthcare, the specific and measurable outcome directly linked to WIC's interventions is the improvement in anemia rates and the associated hematological indicators.