Folate status in young overweight and obese women: changes associated with weight reduction and increased folate intake.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze folate status changes in a group of overweight/obese young women following two different weight control programs.


METHODS
Fifty-seven women (BMI=24-35 kg/m(2)) were randomly assigned to one of two slightly hypocaloric diets: diet V, in which the consumption of vegetables was increased, or diet C, in which the consumption of cereals (especially breakfast cereals) was increased. Dietetic, anthropometric and biochemical data were collected at the start of the study and again at 6 wk.


RESULTS
At the beginning of the study, the obese women (BMI>or=30 kg/m(2)) were at greater risk of showing serum folic acid concentrations of <14.9 nmol/L, even though there were no differences in folate intake between them and the women with a lower BMI. Energy intake was reduced and folate intake increased with both the V and C diets. Weight was lost as a consequence of this lower energy intake. Serum folic acid concentration increased and the plasma homocysteine concentration diminished only in those who lost >2.5 kg; this was the case of the subjects as a whole and of those who followed the C diet. Among those who lost the most weight (>2.5 kg), the chances of having an increased serum folate concentration were higher, although no significant differences were seen in folate intake with respect to women who lost less weight.


CONCLUSIONS
Following a hypocaloric diet could lead to a better folate status through increased intake, but especially among those who lose the most body weight.
Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain. rortega@farm.ucm.es
Rosa M
RM
Ortega
Ana M
AM
López-Sobaler
Pedro
P
Andrés
Elena
E
Rodríguez-Rodríguez
Aranzazu
A
Aparicio
Jose M
JM
Perea
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D031204:Caloric Restriction; D004038:Diet, Reducing; D002523:Edible Grain; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood*; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D009752:Nutritional Status; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood* / Q000178:diet therapy; D050177:Overweight / Q000097:blood* / Q000178:diet therapy; D014675:Vegetables; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
D006710:Homocysteine; D005492:Folic Acid