Periconception weight management in the Women, Infants, and Children program

Introduction: Reproductive age women, particularly low-income and minority women, are at risk for obesity. As an integral service provider for these women, the US Department of Agriculture Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children is uniquely positioned to refine its focus and efforts. Methods: Strategies for accomplishing this goal include identifying pregnant, inter-partum and post-partum women in need of targeted patient-centred services including education, counselling and support to address weight loss or appropriate gestational weight gain. Results: These services may include calorie-controlled diets, behavioural strategies, alternative methods of education delivery and extending post-partum benefits. Implementation of these strategies is feasible through collaboration with related government subsidized programs and reallocation of funds, staff and other resources. Conclusions: Given the magnitude of the problem and the adverse outcomes that obesity has on health and quality of life, Women, Infants, and Children can more positively impact the lives of our most vulnerable families, which face an obesogenic environment.