Race-ethnicity differences in folic acid intake in women of childbearing age in the United States after folic acid fortification: findings from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2001–2002

2008 ◽  
Vol 2008 ◽  
pp. 201-204
Author(s):  
D.K. Stevenson
2012 ◽  
Vol 15 (7) ◽  
pp. 1216-1227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah C Tinker ◽  
Mary E Cogswell ◽  
Heather C Hamner ◽  
Robert J Berry

AbstractObjectiveThe USA currently fortifies enriched cereal grain products (ECGP) with folic acid at 140 μg/100 g. In addition, folic acid can be voluntarily added to ready-to-eat cereals (RTEC) up to 400 μg/serving and it is found in many dietary supplements, most often at a dose of 400 μg. We sought to model folic acid intake under various fortification and supplementation scenarios.DesignThe National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey is a population-based cross-sectional survey representative of the non-institutionalized, civilian US population. Information on folic acid intake is collected in two 24 h dietary recalls and survey questions on dietary supplement use, which allows estimation of usual total folic acid intake. We modelled five different levels of folic acid fortification in ECGP, while varying the amounts in RTEC and dietary supplements.SettingUnited States.SubjectsUS adults (n 14 353) aged ≥19 years; non-pregnant women of childbearing age (n 4272).ResultsThe percentage of adults with usual daily folic acid intake above the tolerable upper intake level of 1000 μg was influenced more by the typical amount in supplements, while the median intake was influenced more by the ECGP fortification level. By manipulating the amount in at least two sources, it was possible to shift the distribution such that more women of childbearing age consumed the recommended intake of 400 μg of folic acid without increasing the percentage of adults with intake above the tolerable upper intake level. The results varied among population subgroups.ConclusionsOur results suggest that combined strategies are required to meet population recommendations for folic acid intake.


2014 ◽  
Vol 84 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 286-294 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hrishikesh Chakraborty ◽  
Kwame A. Nyarko ◽  
Norman Goco ◽  
Janet Moore ◽  
Danilo Moretti-Ferreira ◽  
...  

Abstract. Background: Several countries have implemented mandatory folic acid fortification of wheat flour and selected grain products to increase the folate intake of reproductive-aged women. Brazil implemented a folic acid fortification program in 2004. No previous studies have examined folate differences among Brazilian women following the mandate. Objective: We evaluate differences in serum and red blood cell (RBC) folate concentrations between two samples of women of childbearing age from selective communities in Brazil, one tested before (N = 116) and the other after the mandate (N = 240). Methods: We compared the baseline folate levels of women enrolled in a prevention study shortly before the fortification mandate was implemented, to baseline levels of women from the same communities enrolled in the same study shortly after fortification began. The participants were women enrolled in a folate supplementation clinical trial, at a hospital specializing in treating craniofacial anomalies in the city of Bauru from January 29, 2004 to April 27, 2005. We only compared baseline folate levels before the women received oral cleft prevention program (OCPP) folic acid supplements. Results: Women enrolled after the fortification mandate had higher means of serum folate (20.3 versus 11.2 nmol/L; p < 0.001) and RBC folate (368.3 versus 177.6 nmol/L; p < 0.001) than women enrolled before the mandate. Differences in folate levels between the two groups remained after adjusting for several co-variables. Conclusions: The results suggest that serum and RBC folate levels among women of childbearing age increased after implementing the folic acid fortification mandate in Brazil.


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