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Dietary Folic Acid Intakes of Mississippi Delta Women
Author(s) -
Nuss Henry Joseph,
McCabeSellers Beverly J,
Champagne Catherine M,
McGee Bernestine M
Publication year - 2008
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.22.2_supplement.801
Subject(s) - medicine , folic acid , pregnancy , demography , environmental health , zoology , biology , genetics , sociology
Folic acid deficiency has been linked to neural tube defects. The purpose of this secondary analysis was to assess dietary folic acid intakes of childbearing aged women in the Lower Mississippi Delta (LMD). Demographic/dietary data were obtained from the Foods Of Our Delta Study 2000, a cross‐sectionaltelephone survey using the US Department of Agriculture's multiple‐pass 24‐hrecall method. The sample was 302 non‐pregnant/lactating women of childbearing age (mean 32.0±8.5 years, range 18–45) who were not taking folic acid supplements. Approximately two‐thirds (n=205) were African American, the remainder Caucasian. The mean dietary folic acid intake was 267.5±171.2 μg. Most (70.5%) had intakes below Estimated Average Requirement (EAR, 330 μg age 18, 320 μg age 19+) ( p <0.001). More obese (BMI ≥ 30) than normal weight (BMI 18.5 – 24.9) women did not meet the EAR (76.8% vs. 63.2%, p <0.05), with no differences by race. The majority (57.0%) reported familiarity with folic acid; information sources included television or magazines. Of those, ~ 42% were aware of the nutrient's role in birth defects, yet only one‐third met the EAR through their diet. These findings indicate dietary sources of folic acid alone do not provide adequate levels for optimal health and birth defect prevention in Delta women of childbearing age. Interventions in the LMD must promote consumption of foods high in folic acid, as well as supplement use.