Premium
Assessment of folate intake by low‐income women of childbearing age in California
Author(s) -
Cena Emily Rinaker,
Joy Amy Block,
Heneman Karrie,
ZidenbergCherr Sheri
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.20.4.a602-b
Subject(s) - medicine , folic acid , ethnic group , demography , environmental health , population , fortification , food fortification , pregnancy , gerontology , food science , biology , sociology , genetics , anthropology
Mandatory fortification of the American food supply with synthetic folic acid (SFA) began in 1998. Since then, the incidence of neural tube defects has decreased by 16–31% and red blood cell folate levels have increased significantly in the general population. However, reproductive‐age women with limited resources, as well as some ethnic minorities, may still be at risk of sub‐optimal folate status. The purpose of this study was to assess folate intake by low‐income women of childbearing age in California. Participants in this cross‐sectional study were 195 non‐pregnant women, ages 18–45, who were participating in the Food Stamp Nutrition Education Program. Each participant completed a demographic questionnaire and the Block Dietary Folate Equivalents (DFE) Screener. The estimated mean intake (± SE) was 911 ± 33 μg DFE, which included 419 ± 18 μg SFA. Although the mean intake was adequate, a substantial number of the women were identified as at risk of sub‐optimal folate status. Of the 195 respondents, 114 (58%) did not meet the Institute of Medicine’s recommendation for women of childbearing age to consume at least 400 μg SFA daily. Significant differences in folate intake were detected between ethnic groups. Hispanic women consumed significantly more total dietary folate than both white women and black women (p < 0.01), as well as more SFA than black women (p < 0.05). The results from this study suggest that folic acid consumption may still be inadequate among low‐income women of reproductive age in California. Nutrition education about folic acid that is targeted for low‐income audiences may help raise awareness about the importance of the vitamin. This work was funded in part by the USDA.