PHFE WIC is partnered with First 5 LA to provide informative data to health planners, policymakers, and community leaders regarding the population we serve. Our research focuses on childhood obesity, food and nutrition, breastfeeding, and several other topics, with publications in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, and more.



  1. Anderson, C. E., Whaley, S. E. & Goran, M. I. (2022). Lactose-reduced infant formula with corn syrup solids and obesity risk among participants in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, infants, and children (WIC). The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/nqac173

  2. Anderson, C. E., Crespi, C. M., Wang, M. C., Whaley, S. E. & Chaparro M. P. (2020). The neighborhood food environment modifies the effect of the 2009 WIC food package change on childhood obesity in Los Angeles County, California. BMC Public Health. DOI: 10.1186/s12889-020-08779-2.

  3. Chaparro, M. P., Anderson, C. E., Crespi, C. M., Wang, M. C. & Whaley, S. E. (2020). The new child food package is associated with reduced obesity risk among formula fed infants participating in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) in Los Angeles County, California, 2003-2016. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. DOI: 10.1186/s12966-020-0921-3.

  4. Chaparro, M. P., Wang, M. C., Anderson, C. E., Crespi, C. M. & Whaley S. E. (2019). The association between the 2009 WIC food package change and early childhood obesity risk varies by type of infant package received. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. DOI: 10.1016/j.jand.2019.09.014.

  5. Chaparro, M. P., Crespi, C. M., Anderson, C. E., Wang, M. C. & Whaley, S. E. (2019). The 2009 WIC food package change and children’s growth trajectories and obesity in Los Angeles County. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/nqy347.

  6. Nobari, T. Z., Whaley, S. E., Crespi, C., Prelip, M. & Wang, M. (2018). Trends in socioeconomic disparities in obesity prevalence among low-income children aged 2-4 years in Los Angeles County, 2003-2014. Childhood Obesity. DOI: 10.1089/chi.2017.0264.

  7. Nobari, T. Z., Whaley, S. E., Crespi, C., Prelip, M. & Wang M. (2018). Widening socioeconomic disparities in early childhood obesity in Los Angeles County, 2003-2014. Public Health Nutrition. DOI: 10.1017/S1368980018000666.

  8. Koleilat, M., Whaley, S. E. & Sekhobo, J. (2017). The role of WIC in obesity prevention. Current Pediatric Reports. DOI: 10.1007/s40124-017-0135-6.

  9. Nianogo, R. A., Wang, M. C., Wang, A., Nobari, T. Z., Crespi, C. M., Whaley, S. E. & Arah O. A. (2016). Projecting the impact of hypothetical early life interventions on childhood adiposity in children living in low-income households. Pediatric Obesity. DOI: 10.111/ijpo.12157.

  10. Chaparro, M. P., Whaley, S. E., Crespi, C. M., Koleilat, M., Nobari, T. Z., Seto, E. & Wang, M.C.  (2014).  Influences of the neighborhood food environment on adiposity of low-income preschool-aged children in Los Angeles County:  A longitudinal study. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. DOI: 10.1136/jech-2014-204034.

  11. Davis, J., Koleilat, M., Shearrer, G. E.  & Whaley, S. E.  (2014). Association of infant feeding and dietary intake on obesity prevalence in low-income toddlers. Obesity. DOI: 10.1002/oby.20644.

  12. Sekhobo, J., Whaley, S. E., Edmunds, L. & Koleilat M. (2013). Obesity prevalence among low-income preschool children –New York City and Los Angeles County, 2003-2011. MMWR. PMCID: PMC4604837.

  13. Nobari, T. Z., Wang, M., Chaparro, M. P., Crespi, C. M., Koleilat, M. & Whaley, S. E. (2013). Immigrant enclaves and obesity in preschool-aged children in Los Angeles County. Social Science and Medicine. DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2013.05.019.

  14. Koleilat, M., Harrison, G., Whaley, S. E, McGregor, S., Jenks, E. & Afifi, A. (2012).  Preschool enrollment is associated with lower risk of obesity among young children in low-income households. Maternal and Child Health Journal. DOI: 10.1007/s10995-011-0774-0.

  15. Koleilat, M., Whaley, S. E., Afifi, A. A., Estrada, L. & Harrison, G. G. (2012). Understanding the Relationship Between the Retail Food Environment Index and Early Childhood Obesity Among WIC Participants in Los Angeles County Using GeoDa. Online. J Public Health Inform. DOI: 10.5210/ojphi.v4i1.3936.
  1. Anderson, C. E., Au, L.E., Yepez, C.E., Ritchie, L.D., Tsai, M.M., Whaley, S.E. (2023). Increased WIC Cash Value Benefit is associated with greater amount and diversity of redeemed fruits and vegetables among participating households. Current Developments in Nutrition. DOI: 10.1016/j.cdnut.2023.101986

  2. Whaley, s. E., Anderson, C. E., Tsai, M. M., Yepez, C. E., Ritchie, L.D. & Au, L.E. (2023). Increased WIC benefits for fruits and vegetables increases food security and satisfaction among California households with young children. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. DOI: 10.1016/j.jand.2023.05.018 

  3. Martinez, C. E., Ritchie, L. D., Lee, D. L., Tsai, M. M., Anderson, C. E. & Whaley, S. E. (2022). California WIC participants report favorable impacts of the Covid-related increase to the WIC cash value benefit. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191710604

  4. Anderson, C. E., Martinez, C. E., Ritchie, L. D., Paolicelli, C., Reat, A., Borger, C. & Whaley, S. E. (2022). Longer Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, infants, and children (WIC) participation duration is associated with higher diet quality at age 5 years. The Journal of Nutrition. DOI: 10.1093/jn/nxac134

  5. Liu J., Kuo T., Jiang L. & Whaley S. E. (2016). Food and drink consumption among 1-5-year-old Los Angeles County children from households receiving dual SNAP and WIC v. only WIC benefits. Public Health Nutrition. DOI: 10.1017/S1368980016002329.

  6. Lee S.L., Koleilat M., Hernandez L.M., Whaley S.E. & Davis J.N. (2016). Screen time linked to unhealthy diets in low-income children. Journal of Food and Nutrition Research. DOI: 10.12691/jfnr-4-2-5.

  7. Koleilat, M. & Whaley, S. E. (2016). Reliability and Validity of Food Frequency Questions to Assess Beverages and Food Groups Intakes among Low-Income 2- to 4-Year-Old Children. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. DOI: 10.1016/j.jand.2016.02.014.

  8. Chaparro, M. P., Whaley, S. E., Koleilat, M., Langellier, B. & Wang, M.C. (2015). Effects of parental nativity and length of stay in the U.S. on fruit and vegetable intake among WIC-enrolled preschool-aged children. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health. DOI: 10.1007/s10903-014-0097-5.

  9. Davis, J., Whaley, S. E. & Goran, M. (2012). Effects of breastfeeding and low sugar sweetened beverage intake on obesity prevalence in Hispanic toddlers. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. DOI: 10.3945/ajcn.111.019372.
  1. Almeida, R., Alvarez, S., Ventura, A. & Whaley S. E. (2020). A qualitative study of breastfeeding and formula feeding mothers’ perceptions and experiences in the WIC program. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. DOI: 10.1016/j.jneb.2019.12.006.

  2. Vandyousefi, S., Whaley, S. E., Widen, E. M., Asigbee, F. M., Landry, M. J., Ghaddar, R., Davis, J. N. (2019) Association of breastfeeding and early exposure to sugar-sweetened beverages with obesity prevalence in offspring born to mothers with and without gestational diabetes mellitus. Pediatric Obesity. DOI: 10.1111/ijpo.12569.

  3. Jung, S., Nobari, T. Z. & Whaley, S. E. (2019) Breastfeeding Outcomes Among WIC-Participating Infants and its Relationships to Baby Friendly Hospital Practices.  Breastfeeding Medicine. DOI: 10.1089/bfm.2019.0004.

  4. Whaley, S. E., Koleilat, M. & Leonard, S.  (2017).  Breastfeeding is associated with reduced obesity in Hispanic 2-5-year-olds served by WIC. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. DOI: 10.1016/j.jneb.2017.03.007.

  5. Nobari, T. Z, Jiang, L., Wang, M. C. & Whaley, S. E.  (2017).  Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative and breastfeeding among WIC-participating infants in Los Angeles County. Journal of Human Lactation. DOI: 10.1177/0890334417716118.

  6. Langellier, B. A., Chaparro, M. P., Wang, M., Koleilat, M. & Whaley, S. E. (2014). The new food package and breastfeeding outcomes among WIC participants in Los Angeles County. American Journal of Public Health. DOI:10.2105/AJPH.2013.301330.

  7. Whaley, S. E., Koleilat, M., Whaley, M., Gomez, J., Meehan, K. & Saluja, K. (2012). Policy changes impact infant feeding decisions among low-income women participating in WIC.  American Journal of Public Health. DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2012.300770.

  8. Whaley, S. E., Koleilat, M. & Jiang, L. (2012). WIC food package data are a valid measure of infant feeding practices. Journal of Human Lactation. DOI: 10.1177/0890334412436720.

  9. Langellier, B., Chaparro, M. P. & Whaley, S. E. (2012). Social and institutional factors that affect breastfeeding duration among WIC participants in Los Angeles County, California. Maternal and Child Health Journal.  DOI: 10.1007/s10995-011-0937-z.
  1. Anderson, C.E. & Whaley, S. E. (2023). Use of Interactive Texting is Associated With Higher Odds of Continued WIC Participation During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Journal of Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. DOI: 10.1016/j.jand.2023.05.008

  2. Au, L. E., Whaley, S. E., Hecht, C. A., Tsai, M. M., Anderson, C. E., Chaney, A. M., Vital, N., Martinez, C. E. & Ritchie, L. D. (2022). California WIC participants’ and local agency directors’ experiences during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic: A qualitative examination. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. DOI:  10.1016/j.jand.2022.07.003

  3. Nianogo, R. A., Wang, M. C., Basurto-Davila, R., Nobari, T., Prelip, M., Arah, O. A. & Whaley, S. E. (2019).  Economic Evaluation of California Prenatal Participation in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) to Prevent Preterm Birth. Preventive Medicine. DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2019.04.011.

  4. Nobari, T. Z., Whaley, S. E., Blumenberg, E., Prelip, M. L. & Wang, M. C. (2018). Severe housing-cost burden and obesity among preschool-aged low-income children in Los Angeles County. Preventive Medicine Reports. DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2018.12.003.

  5. Gill, M., Koleilat, M. & Whaley, S. E.  (2018).  The impact of food insecurity on the home emotional environment among low-income mothers of young children. Maternal and Child Health Journal. DOI: 10.1007/s10995-018-2499-9.

  6. Thompson, S. M., Jiang, L., Hammen, C. & Whaley, S. E. (2018).  Effect of maternal depressive symptoms on youth physical health in low-income families: Direct impact and mediation via maternal engagement. Maternal and Child Health Journal. DOI: 10.1007/s10995-018-2462-9.

  7. Wang, M., Crespi, C., Jiang, L., Fingerhut, H., Rauzon, S., Robles, B., Blocklin, M., Davoudi, M., Seto, E., Whaley, S. E. & Prelip, M.  (2018).  Developing an index of dose of exposure to early childhood obesity community interventions. Preventive Medicine, DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2018.02.036.

  8. Koleilat, M., Kim, L. P. & Whaley, S. E. (2017).  Focusing on excessive gestational weight gain through weight tracking among participants of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) in Southern California. Californian Journal of Health Promotion. DOI: 10.32398/cjhp.v15i3.1905.

  9. Kim, L. P., Koleilat, M. & Whaley, S. E. (2016). A qualitative study to examine perceptions and barriers to appropriate gestational weight gain among participants in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program. Journal of Pregnancy. DOI: 10.1155/2016/4569742.

  10. Leonard, S., Gee, D., Zhu, Y., Crespi, C. M. & Whaley, S. E.  (2015).  Prepregnancy risk factors for preterm birth and role of maternal nativity in a low-income Hispanic population. Journal of Maternal and Child Health. DOI: 10.1007/s10995-015-1748-4.

  11. Nobari, T. Z., Wang, M. C. & Whaley, S. E. (2015). Asian American mothers’ perception of their children’s weight: a comparison with other racial/ethnic groups in Los Angeles. Ethnicity & Disease. PMID: 25812252.

  12. Shearrer, G. E., Whaley, S. E., Miller, S. J., House, B. T., Held, T. & Davis, J. N. (2014). Association of gestational diabetes and breastfeeding on obesity prevalence in predominately Hispanic low-income youth. Pediatric Obesity. DOI: 10.1111/ijpo.247.

  13. Leonard, S., Gee, D., Zhu, Y., Crespi, C. M. & Whaley, S. E.  (2014).  Associations between preterm birth, low birth weight and postpartum health in a predominantly Hispanic WIC population. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. DOI:  10.1016/j.jneb.2014.06.008.

  14. Koleilat, M. & Whaley, S. E.  (2013).  Trends and predictors of gestational weight gain among Hispanic WIC participants in Los Angeles County. Maternal and Child Health Journal. DOI: 10.1007/s10995-012-1140-6.

  15. Guerrero, A. D., Inkelas, M., Whaley, S. & Kuo, A. (2013).  A WIC-based curriculum to enhance parent communication with healthcare providers. Journal of Community Health. DOI: 10.1007/s10900-013-9706-9.

  16. Crespi, K., Alfonse, V., Whaley, S. E. & Wang, M. (2012). Validity of child anthropometric measurements in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children. Pediatric Research. DOI: 10.1038/pr.2011.37.

  17. Pieper, J. & Whaley, S. E. (2011). Healthy eating behaviors are positively associated with the cognitive environment in low-income preschool-aged children. Appetite. DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2011.03.016

  18. Chaparro, M. P., Langellier, B., Kim, L. P. & Whaley, S. E. (2011). Predictors of accurate maternal perception of their preschool child’s weight status among Hispanic WIC participants. Obesity. DOI: 10.1038/oby.2011.105.

  19. Whaley, S. E., McGregor, S., Jiang, L., Gomez, J., Harrison, G., Jenks, E.  (2010).  A WIC-Based Intervention to Prevent Early Childhood Overweight. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. DOI: 10.1016/j.jneb.2010.02.010.

For more information:

  • To request additional data and information, click here.
  • For questions about PHFE WIC research, email Shannon E. Whaley, Ph.D., Director of Research and Evaluation at  datamining@www.phfewic.org 
Visit L.A. County WIC Data