Open AccessFolate promotion in Western Australia and the prevention of neural tube defects
Author(s) -
Bower Carol,
Miller Margaret,
Payne Jan,
Serna Peta,
Klerk Nicholas,
Stanley Fiona J.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.946
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1753-6405
pISSN - 1326-0200
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-842x.2004.tb00028.x
Subject(s) - fortification , folic acid , medicine , environmental health , fortified food , neural tube defect , neural tube , food fortification , health promotion , food science , public health , biology , embryo , microbiology and biotechnology , nursing
Objectives: We conducted a case‐control study to investigate the effectiveness of efforts to increase folate intake in Western Australia (WA) for the prevention of neural tube defects (NTD). Methods: Case (36) and control (578) mothers completed questionnaires, from which their intake of folate from supplements and food (including fortified foods) was estimated. Results: Almost one‐third of women took folic acid supplements periconceptionally. Supplement use was associated with a non‐significant 4% reduction in risk. For women not taking supplements, dietary sources of folate were protective, and most women obtained at least some folate from fortified food. Conclusions: For the two‐thirds of WA women not taking supplements, fortified food is an important source of folate for the prevention of NTD. Implications: Greater promotion of foods currently allowed to be fortified with folate, or mandatory fortification, is needed to maximise prevention of NTD in Australia.