The WIC program was created as a 2-year pilot program in 1972 by an amendment to the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 and was made permanent in 1975. The program was established during a time of growing public concern about malnutrition among low-income mothers and children. WIC services were designed to deliver early nutrition and health intervention during critical times of growth and development to prevent future medical and developmental problems. Since it's inception, the number of participants in the program has expanded to an average of 7.2 million in 2000. Strong congressional support, stimulated by various evaluations that found WIC to have high rates of return for its investment, resulted in increased funding for WIC, which, along with effective cost-containment practices.