September 2015

33% of children in the United States are overweight or obese.  43% of American Indian children aged 2-4 are overweight or obese.  Childhood obesity puts kids at risk for health problems that were once seen only in adults, like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.  There is a greater risk for breathing problems, such as sleep apnea and asthma and social and psychological problems such as discrimination and poor self-esteem in children with obesity.

The good news is that childhood obesity can be prevented.  In honor of National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, ITCA encourages your family to make healthy changes together.

• Get active:  Go for a family walk; play music and have a dance party; play with a ball,
  inside or outside the home; go to a wellness or recreational center; or join a sports team.
• Limit screen time: Keep screen time (including video games, computers, tablets, cellphones and TV’s) to 2 hours or less per day.  Children under 2 should have no screen time.
• Make healthy meals and snacks: Buy and serve more fruit and vegetables and whole grains.  Have children help with simple tasks when preparing meals and snacks.
• Serve healthy drinks: Water, fat free and low fat milk (for children 2 and older), and juice with vitamin C in limited amounts.

Taking small steps as a family can help your child stay at a healthy weight.

For more information on Childhood Obesity, visit:

• ITCA Childhood Obesity Awareness Infographic 
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/childhood/
• COAM (National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month) http://www.healthierkidsbrighterfutures.org/home/

For more information on healthy eating and physical activity, visit:

• Let’s Move http://www.letsmove.gov/
• Choose My Plate http://www.choosemyplate.gov/health-and-nutrition-information

August 1-7, 2015

Every August, ITCA WIC highlights the importance of promoting, protecting, and supporting breastfeeding by celebrating World Breastfeeding Week and National Breastfeeding Month. The theme this year is Breastfeeding and Work – Let’s Make it Work! The theme is focused on recognizing and promoting lactation support in the work place.

Worldwide, more than 170 countries celebrate World Breastfeeding Week. At the community level, ITCA WIC clinics will be hosting health fairs, community walking and running events, and breastfeeding talking circles. Activities and events will help spread awareness about the importance of breastfeeding and the risks of not breastfeeding, along with supporting moms in the workplace.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, both babies and mothers gain many benefits from breastfeeding. Human milk provides the most complete form of nutrition for infants. Breast milk is easy to digest and offers breastfeeding infants protection against bacterial and viral infections. Research indicates that women who breastfeed may have lower rates of certain breast and ovarian cancers. Breastfeeding also helps mother’s health and healing following childbirth.

For more information about ITCA WIC’s support of World Breastfeeding Week or a local agency’s planned activities, please contact Claresa Bedonie at (602)-307-1510, or email claresa.bedonie@itcaonline.com. For more information and ideas on how to celebrate World Breastfeeding Week 2015, visit http://worldbreastfeedingweek.org/.

United States Department of Agricultural (USDA) National Breastfeeding Week Proclamation 

Effective April 1, 2015, ITCA WIC added yogurt and whole wheat pasta to the foods available on WIC! Women and children participating in WIC will be able to purchase a 32 ounce container of a variety of plain or flavored yogurt. Loaded with calcium, vitamin D and protein, yogurt can be used for parfaits with fruit and cereal, as a dip for fruit or as a topping to tacos. Whole wheat pasta will be allowed as an option in addition to the whole wheat bread or tortillas, corn tortillas or brown rice currently offered. Whole wheat pasta is loaded with fiber and is so versatile- it can be used in soups, macaroni salads or pasta dishes.

Parents will be happy to hear that babies 9 months and older will have the option to receive a check for up to $8 in fresh fruit and veggies if their child is developmentally ready for finger foods! This allows parents to provide appropriate foods for their baby’s age.

We are happy to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of WIC! WIC is one of our country’s most important public health programs, and it has enriched the lives of millions of families over the years. WIC improves birth outcomes, reduces infant mortality, and prepares kids for learning.

We are excited to join with the National WIC Association in this celebration by sharing the video and print materials they created to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of WIC. They have developed short animated videos and print pieces to help illustrate what WIC does and how it helps strengthen families. Go to WICturns40.org to view these amazing materials.

ITCA WIC 40th Anniversary Proclamation