Folic acid supplementation among diabetic, overweight, or obese women of childbearing age.
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.
Case
Amy P
AP
Birth Defects Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch, Texas Department of State Health Services, Austin, TX 78756, USA. amy.case@dshs.state.texas.us
Ramadhani
Tunu A
TA
Canfield
Mark A
MA
Beverly
Lara
L
Wood
Rebecca
R
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
D005492:Folic Acid