Validity of the Food Frequency Questionnaire Assessing the Folate Intake in Women of Reproductive Age Living in a Country without Food Fortification: Application of the Method of Triads

There are increasing concerns that exposure to unmetabolized folic acid, which results from folic acid intakes that overwhelm the liver's metabolic capacity, may be associated with adverse effects. In this paper, we examined the folic acid status of women of reproductive age in relation to dietary intake and the effect of folic acid supplementation (1.1 mg or 5 mg). Plasma unmetabolized folic acid was not significantly correlated with folate intake estimated by food frequency questionnaire or biomarkers. The proportion of women with detectable levels of unmetabolized folic acid increased from 65% to 100% after twelve weeks of supplementation (P<0.05); however, the increase in concentrations did not reach statistical significance and the effect was not sustained. Moreover, there were no significant differences between the two doses. This suggests that there are mechanisms by which the body adapts to high folic acid intakes to limit exposure to unmetabolized folic acid.

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Increased Red Cell Folate Concentrations in Women of Reproductive Age after Canadian Folic Acid Food Fortification

Epidemiology ◽

10.1097/00001648-200203000-00026 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 238-240 ◽

Cited By ~ 62

Author(s):

Joel G. Ray ◽

Marian J. Vermeulen ◽

Sheila C. Boss ◽

David E. C. Cole

Keyword(s):

Folic Acid ◽

Reproductive Age ◽

Food Fortification ◽

Red Cell ◽

Women Of Reproductive Age

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The Potential of Food Fortification to Add Micronutrients in Young Children and Women of Reproductive Age – Findings from a Cross-Sectional Survey in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0158552 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 11 (7) ◽

pp. e0158552 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Fabian Rohner ◽

Magali Leyvraz ◽

Amoin G. Konan ◽

Lasme J. C. E. Esso ◽

James P. Wirth ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Young Children ◽

Cote D'ivoire ◽

Côte D’Ivoire ◽

Reproductive Age ◽

Food Fortification ◽

Women Of Reproductive Age ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Cote D’Ivoire ◽

Côte D'ivoire

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Assessment of Folate Intake in Selected Indian Women of Child-Bearing Age Using a Researcher-Developed Food Frequency Questionnaire

Journal of the American Dietetic Association ◽

10.1016/j.jada.2005.05.126 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 105 (8) ◽

pp. 39

Author(s):

K. Mukerjee ◽

P.G. Wolman ◽

E.J. Silagyi-Rebovich ◽

C.H. Goodner

Keyword(s):

Food Frequency Questionnaire ◽

Folate Intake ◽

Indian Women ◽

Food Frequency ◽

Child Bearing

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Consumption of dietary folate estimates and its implication for reproductive outcome among women of reproductive age in Kersa: cross-sectional survey

BMC Nutrition ◽

10.1186/s40795-021-00476-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Nega Assefa ◽

Yasir Y. Abdullahi ◽

Aklilu Abraham ◽

Elena C. Hemler ◽

Isabel Madzorera ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dietary Intake ◽

Dietary Diversity ◽

Reproductive Age ◽

Leafy Vegetables ◽

Food Sources ◽

Folate Intake ◽

Women Of Reproductive Age ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Eastern Ethiopia ◽

Dietary Folate

Abstract Background Dietary folate inadequacy is one the most common micronutrient deficiencies that cause neural tube defect (NTD) among infants in Sub-Saharan African countries. This study aims to determine the dietary intake of folate among women of reproductive age (WRA) of Kersa, Eastern Ethiopia. Methods A cross-sectional study took place among voluntary women that were selected from 1140 random households. Using a validated Food Frequency Questionnaire, participant’s weekly dietary intake history of Ethiopian foods and dietary folate intake was worked out. Statistical analysis was done at a 95% confidence interval. Modified Poisson regression was used to identify factors associated with dietary folate consumption. Result The estimated median usual intake of folate was 170 μg/d (IQR: 118.3; 252.2) and about 33% of WRA had low folate intake and 73.9% were at risk for folate inadequacy. From the reported food groups, Beans and Peas, Starchy staples, and Vitamin-A rich dark-green leafy vegetables were the top three ranked foods that contributed much of the dietary folate. The following conditions were statistically related to dietary folate inadequacy; women’s age, being in poor wealth index, low dietary diversity, having seasonal employment, and reliance on market food sources. Conclusions We found that women’s dietary intake of folate in Kersa is very low and cannot protect their offspring from the risk of having NTD. They could also potentially be predisposed to poor health outcomes. Diversifying and fortification of Ethiopian wheats and salts could decrease the burden of folate deficiency in the country.

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Development and Evaluation of the Semi-quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire to Assess Folate Intake in Women of Child-bearing Age

Korean Journal of Community Nutrition ◽

10.5720/kjcn.2012.17.2.156 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 17 (2) ◽

pp. 156 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Bo Ram Han ◽

Hyun Sook Bae

Keyword(s):

Food Frequency Questionnaire ◽

Folate Intake ◽

Food Frequency ◽

Child Bearing

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Consumption of Dietary Folate Estimates and Its Implication for Reproductive Outcome among Women of Reproductive Age in Kersa: Cross-Sectional Survey

10.21203/rs.3.rs-601866/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Nega Assefa ◽

Yasir Y Abdullahi ◽

Aklilu Abrham ◽

Elena C Hemler ◽

Isabel Madzorera ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dietary Intake ◽

Dietary Diversity ◽

Reproductive Age ◽

Leafy Vegetables ◽

Folate Intake ◽

Women Of Reproductive Age ◽

African Countries ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Eastern Ethiopia ◽

Dietary Folate

Abstract Background: Dietary folate inadequacy is one the most common micronutrient deficiencies that causes neural tube defect (NTD) among infants in Sub-Saharan African countries. This study aims to determine the dietary intake of folate among women of reproductive age (WRA) of Kersa, Eastern Ethiopia.Methods: A cross-sectional study took place among voluntary women that were selected from 1140 random households. Using a validated Food Frequency Questionnaire, participants weekly dietary intake history of Ethiopian foods and dietary folate intake was worked out. Statistical analysis was done at 95% confidence interval. Modified Poisson regression was used to identify factors that associated with dietary folate consumptionResult: The estimated median usual intake of folate was 170 ug/d (IQR: 118.3; 252.2) and about 33% WRA had low folate intake and 73.9% were at risk for folate inadequacy. From the reported food groups, Beans and Peas, Starchy staples, and Vitamin-A rich dark-green leafy vegetables were the top three ranked foods that contributed much of the dietary folate. The following conditions were statistically related with dietary folate inadequacy; women’s age, being in poor wealth index, low dietary diversity, having seasonal employment, and reliance on market food source.Conclusions: We found that women’s dietary intake of folate in Kersa is very low and cannot protect their offspring from having NTD. They could also potentially be predisposed poor health outcomes. Diversifying and fortification Ethiopian wheats and salts could decrease the burden of folate deficiency in the country.

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