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Nutrition Education Plan FY2026-27 Utilization of WIC Foods in Preventing Nutrition-Related Risks and Diseases October 1, 2025 – September 30, 2027

Introduction Alabama faces disproportionately high rates of food insecurity and nutrition-related diseases.1 WIC foods – specifically designed to supply key nutrients – can mitigate many of these risks.2 Alabama’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), a division of Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) plays a critical role in combating food insecurity, nutrient deficiencies, and chronic health conditions. This Nutrition Education Plan (NE Plan) for FY2026-2027 is titled “Utilization of WIC Foods in Preventing Nutrition-Related Risks and Diseases.” The goals of the NE Plan are: • To encourage the benefits of breastfeeding and how breastfeeding plays a powerful role in promoting health for both infants and mothers. • To promote the use of WIC Approved Foods to support healthy growth, prevent chronic diseases, and reduce food insecurity. This NE Plan aims to provide WIC participants with the knowledge and skills needed to utilize their WIC foods in ways that are realistic. By integrating evidenced-based nutrition education as well as access to nutrient-dense foods, we aim to foster healthier eating habits that can help to prevent nutrition-related risks and diseases and establish a foundation for lifelong health.

State Needs Assessment Breastfeeding rates in Alabama are significantly below national averages with only 68% of infants ever breastfed and only 29.4% of infants continuing to breastfeed at 12 months.3 In addition, infants in Alabama are at risk of iron and vitamin D deficiency, childhood obesity, and maternal health complications, which are linked to poor nutrition and early feeding practices. One in four children in Alabama are food insecure.1 Children who are food insecure are more likely to have anemia and growth issues due to the lack of iron-rich foods and poor dietary diversity.4 According to the State of Childhood Obesity Report, children ages 2 to 4 years that are participating in the WIC program overall have an obesity rate of 14.4%. In Alabama, the obesity rate in this population is 15.6%.6 Alabama is among the states with the highest obesity prevalence in women ages 18-44 years old with 38.9% of these women classified as obese. Limited access to affordable, nutritious foods, among other factors, contributes to the high obesity rates. Women with limited access to nutritious foods are particularly vulnerable to iron deficiency, which can lead to anemia, especially during pregnancy and postpartum. Additionally, inadequate folate intake in women of childbearing age is linked to increased risk of neural tube defects.7