title: Folic acid supplementation among diabetic, overweight, or obese women of childbearing age.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine whether obese, overweight, or diabetic women were equally likely to supplement with folic acid as normal-weight or nondiabetic women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Texas Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System was used to compare folic acid supplementation rates among obese, overweight, or diabetic women to those of normal-weight or nondiabetic women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Responses from nonpregnant Texas women of ages 18 to 44 were analyzed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Odds ratios were calculated for association between diabetes, body mass index, and folic acid supplementation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 6,835 participants, 35% reported daily folic acid supplementation. Obese women were less likely to supplement, even after adjustment for other factors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  All women of childbearing age, but especially those who are obese or diabetic, should be encouraged to take folic acid daily to reduce the risk of neural tube defects.
authors.affiliation: Birth Defects Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch, Texas Department of State Health Services, Austin, TX 78756, USA. amy.case@dshs.state.texas.us
authors.forename: Amy P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Case
authors.forename: Tunu A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Ramadhani
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Canfield
authors.forename: Lara
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Beverly
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wood
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D040343:Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000523:psychology*; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D009042:Motivation; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D016742:Preconception Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012651:Self Medication / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013781:Texas
chemical_list: D005492:Folic Acid