An explosion of recent research has deepened our understanding of how crucial early life experiences are to the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development. Poor nutrition during the critical first five years of a child’s life can negatively affect child development in both the short- and long-term and hinder adult achievement and productivity. A new issue brief from the Food Research and Action Council explains how federal nutrition assistance programs, like WIC, and CACFP, provide infants and children with access to nutritious food and set the foundation for their healthy development. Extensive evidence demonstrates WIC’s importance in reducing food insecurity and supporting all facets of child health and development and diet quality. CACFP has a smaller but growing evidence base demonstrating its importance for young children’s diet quality, weight status, and overall health.
Source: Food Research & Action Council, 8/25/15, Child Nutrition
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