Accomplishments of Vermont Fit WIC
Vermont Fit WIC researchers contacted families three to five months after they were given a Fit WIC Activity Kit, in order to evaluate the kit's use and effectiveness.
Ninety-five percent of WIC mothers reported using the Activity Kit with their preschooler at least once, with 71percent using it more than four times during the first two weeks after it was received. As time went on usage had dropped somewhat, as could be expected. However, 97percent of mothers reported they intended to use the Fit WIC materials again in the future.
Compared to a control group of Vermont WIC mothers who did not receive the Fit WIC intervention, mothers who used the Activity Kit reported an improvement in their child's active play skills, an increase in the time the child spent doing some types of active play and more confidence in their own ability to teach play skills to their child.
Additionally, mothers responded that the Fit WIC Vermont Activity Kit helped them connect with their child, inspired new parent-child activity ideas, and reminded them of the importance of physical activity and play. An unexpected effect of the kit reported by some mothers was improvement in their child's language and communication skills. Many mothers who had children of varying ages said the Kit was adaptable to a wide range of family ages and interests.
The Vermont Fit WIC initiative has continued to grow even though funding under the Special Projects Grants ended in 2001. Families of three year olds are given the Fit WIC Activities booklet and education about the importance of active play to their child's cognitive, social and emotional well-being, as well as their physical health. Although the initial program was developed for 3 and 4 year olds, new physical activity pamphlets have been created for babies and toddlers as well.
In 2003, The Vermont Fit WIC Activity Kit received a Gold Award for Excellence in Public Health Communication from The National Public Health Information Coalition (NPHIC).