title: Folate status and socio-demographic predictors of folate status, among a national cohort of women aged 26-36 in Australia, 2004-2006.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe serum folate status and the socio-demographic correlates of serum folate status in a national sample of women aged 26-36 years in Australia, 2004-2006.
  
  
  METHODS
  Stored serum samples from 1,046 women, collected as part of the Childhood Determinants of Adult Health study, were analysed for serum folate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Median (IQR) serum folate was 27.1 nmol/L (18.8-35.0 nmol/L) with only 7.0% of samples below 11 nmol/L. Serum folate was positively associated with supplement use, educational level, occupational status and urban dwelling.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this population-based sample, most women had folate levels in the normal range with few having low serum folate. Those of lower socioeconomic position or with poorer health behaviours had lower folate levels, though most were still within the normal range.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the absence of comprehensive national survey data on the folate status of women of child-bearing age, these data provide a valuable baseline for evaluating the impact of mandatory folic acid fortification in Australia, which commenced in 2009. It is likely that mandatory fortification of the food supply with folic acid will reduce the disparities in folate status between socioeconomic groups and in people with poorer health behaviours.
authors.affiliation: Menzies Research Institute, Tasmania. Seana.Gall@utas.edu.au
authors.forename: Seana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gall
authors.forename: Judy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Seal
authors.forename: Roscoe
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Terry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dwyer
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Venn
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D015331:Cohort Studies; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000097:blood*; D005494:Folic Acid Deficiency / Q000453:epidemiology; D005527:Food, Fortified; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012424:Rural Population; D012907:Smoking; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D005492:Folic Acid