Introduction to Fit WIC
Overweight is a serious problem among children today. More and more children are becoming overweight, and at an earlier age.
Concurrently, the time children spend engaging in physically active play, especially outdoor play, has decreased. More time is being spent on sedentary activities like watching television and playing video games.
The environmental factors that enable overweight are experienced across all socioeconomic groups. However, research has shown higher weight for height is more prevalent in children of lower socioeconomic status.
Prevention is the best solution to combat this epidemic. Young children are a prime target for prevention activities because unhealthy behaviors have not yet been established. The primary audience for Fit WIC Vermont is three and four year olds and their parents and caregivers.
Vermont's Fit WIC program originated with a three year, multi-state grant funded in part with Federal funds from the U.S.Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, under the 1999 WIC Special Projects Grants. See the Fit WIC Implementation Manual for more information about all of the Fit WIC projects.
The Fit WIC Activity Booklet (pdf) is a colorful and informative active play guide for parents. While grant funding was available, the booklet was distrbuted to WIC parents as part of a kit which included a few play items chosen to enhance the the activites described in the booklet, such as a beach ball, bean bags, and a cassette tape of favorite active play songs.
Sixty-three percent of Vermont children under age six years have parents in the workforce. Thus, childcare providers and early educators are in a position to have a significant impact on a child's level of daily physical activity. The Fit WIC Activities booklet is easily adaptable for groups of preschoolers.
Additionally, the Fit WIC Educator's Guide (pdf) is available specifically for promoting physical activity in groups of children under the leadership of a caregiving adult.
Vermont WIC promotes physical activity directly to children and their parents at WIC clinic appointments and in conjunction with nutrition activities and community events. We also make the Fit WIC resources available to Head Start programs, childcare providers through the Healthy Childcare Vermont network, early childhood educators and pediatricians and family practitioners. Play everyday - you'll be glad you did!