Folate Status in Women of Childbearing Age
Connolly, Matthew A.; Woolf, Kathleen; Primak, Nicole; and St. Thomas, Megan
Department of Nutrition, Arizona State University - Polytechnic
Poor folate status has been correlated with an increased risk of neural tube defects in newborns. Due to the alarming number of preventable neural tube defects, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration enacted mandatory fortification of cereal and grain products with folic acid in January 1998. This study examined folate status in young women (18-30 years of age) of childbearing age. Participants (n=58, 21 ± 3 y; BMI 23.5 ± 3.4 kg/m2) were recruited from the local community. Participants were eligible if they were weight stable, not pregnant or breast-feeding within the past year, and currently not using any tobacco products. Procedures were approved by the University Human Subject Institutional Review Board. Participants completed a 7-day weighed food record that was analyzed using Food Processor Nutrition and Fitness Software (version 8.5, 2005, ESHA Research, Salem, OR). To date, food records for 43 participants have been analyzed. Mean dietary folate intakes were 392 ± 234.4cg/day DFE. 19 of the 43 (44%) women consumed less than the Estimated Average Requirement for dietary folate. Fifteen women reported using a dietary supplement containing folic acid (399 ± 172.7 μg/day). Participants also completed a fasting blood draw for assessment of plasma folate, red blood cell folate, and mean cell volume. The blood will be analyzed during the spring 2007 semester. Even with the mandatory fortification of folic acid, dietary intakes for many young women were poor. Young women need education to improve folate intakes through diet, supplements, or fortified foods.