Morbidity [amp ] mortality weekly report: Folate status in women of childbearing age

AbstractObjectiveTo estimate the folate status of New Zealand women of childbearing age following the introduction, in 2010, of a new voluntary folic acid fortification of bread programme.DesignThe 2011 Folate and Women’s Health Survey was a cross-sectional survey of women aged 18–44 years carried out in 2011. The survey used a stratified random sampling technique with the Electoral Roll as the sampling frame. Women were asked about consumption of folic-acid-fortified breads and breakfast cereals in a telephone interview. During a clinic visit, blood was collected for serum and erythrocyte folate measurement by microbiological assay.SettingA North Island (Wellington) and South Island (Dunedin) city centre in New Zealand.SubjectsTwo hundred and eighty-eight women, of whom 278 completed a clinic visit.ResultsGeometric mean serum and erythrocyte folate concentrations were 30 nmol/l and 996 nmol/l, respectively. Folate status was 30–40 % higher compared with women of childbearing age sampled as part of a national survey in 2008/09, prior to the introduction of the voluntary folic acid bread fortification programme. In the 2011 Folate and Women’s Health Survey, reported consumption of fortified bread and fortified breakfast cereal in the past week was associated with 25 % (P=0·01) and 15 % (P=0·04) higher serum folate concentrations, respectively.ConclusionsSerum and erythrocyte folate concentrations have increased in New Zealand women of childbearing age since the number of folic-acid-fortified breads was increased voluntarily in 2010. Consumption of fortified breads and breakfast cereals was associated with a higher folate status.

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Plasma folate status and dietary folate intake among Chinese women of childbearing age

Maternal and Child Nutrition ◽

10.1111/j.1740-8709.2008.00172.x ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 104-116 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Yaling Zhao ◽

Ling Hao ◽

Le Zhang ◽

Yihua Tian ◽

Yiwu Cao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chinese Women ◽

Folate Intake ◽

Women Of Childbearing Age ◽

Childbearing Age ◽

Dietary Folate ◽

Folate Status ◽

Plasma Folate ◽

Dietary Folate Intake

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Folate status in women of childbearing age with obesity: a review

Nutrition Research Reviews ◽

10.1017/s0954422417000142 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 30 (2) ◽

pp. 265-271 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Silvia Maffoni ◽

Rachele De Giuseppe ◽

Fatima Cody Stanford ◽

Hellas Cena

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

Genetic Factors ◽

Positive Association ◽

Folate Metabolism ◽

Women Of Childbearing Age ◽

Childbearing Age ◽

Folate Status ◽

History Of ◽

Previous Weight Loss ◽

Erythrocyte Folate

AbstractSeveral studies have described a positive association between elevated BMI and birth defects risk. Data on plasma concentration of folate in pregnant women with obesity have shown values far below those recommended, regardless of diet, while folate levels should increase before pregnancy to reduce neural tube defects. We report a descriptive review of the most recent studies (from 2005 to 2015) to evaluate folate status through a population of women of childbearing age affected by obesity. The literature contains few studies, which present conflicting results regarding folate status in non-pregnant women of childbearing age affected by obesity, and it appears that there is a modification in folate metabolism, with a reduction in plasma folate levels and an increase in erythrocyte folate uptake. In conclusion, the folate status in women of childbearing age should be assessed by both plasma and erythrocyte levels to start a personalised and more adequate supplementation before conception. Further studies need to be conducted in a larger population, which take into account variables that can affect folate metabolism, such as dietary intake, lifestyle and genetic factors, oral contraceptives or other drug use, previous weight-loss programmes, or a history of bariatric surgery.

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