FIGURE 1.

Percentage of US children who were 12 to 23 months of age and consuming different food categories by WIC status (NHANES 2011–2014). Age is presented in months at the time of examination in a MEC. Foods contained in the fruit category include apples, bananas, grapes, peaches and nectarines, berries, citrus fruits, melons, dried fruits, other fruits and fruit salad, and baby food fruit. Foods contained in the vegetables (excluding white potatoes) category include tomatoes, carrots, other red and orange vegetables, dark-green and leafy vegetables, lettuce and lettuce salads, legumes, string beans, onions, mixed vegetables, vegetable mixed dishes, corn, other starchy vegetables, and baby food vegetables. Foods contained in the vegetables (white potatoes) category include baked or boiled potatoes, French fries and other fried white potatoes, and mashed and white potato mixture. Foods contained in the protein foods category include meats, poultry, seafood, eggs and omelets, cured meats and poultry, nuts, seeds, processed soy products, baby food yogurt, cheese, and yogurt. Foods contained in the grains category include baby food cereals, ready-to-eat cereals, cooked cereals, breads, rolls, tortillas, quick breads and bread products, and cooked grains. Foods contained in the mixed-dishes category include meat, poultry, and seafood mixed dishes; rice, pasta, and other grain-based mixed dishes; pizza; burgers and sandwiches; and soup. Foods contained in the snacks category include savory snacks, crackers, and snack and/or meal bars. Foods contained in the sweets category include sweet bakery products, candy and sugar, and other desserts. WIC status is defined as children who are currently receiving WIC benefits. Eligible for but not receiving WIC benefits is defined as children who are eligible on the basis of family income/poverty ratio, receipt of Medicaid, or receipt of SNAP benefits (previously called food stamps). Not eligible is defined as children who do not meet WIC eligibility criteria. ^a Indicates results that are significantly different from those of children who are not eligible. ^b Indicates results that are significantly different from those of WIC participants (t test; P < .05). ^c Indicates that the estimate did not meet the National Center for Health Statistics criteria for data presentation. Although degrees of freedom and the relative CI were in compliance with data-presentation standards, the absolute CI was slightly >0.3.