title: Dietary folate intake levels in rural women immediately before pregnancy in Northern China.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The study aims to assess dietary folate levels and food sources in women immediately before pregnancy in a rural area of northern China associated with a high prevalence of neural tube defects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Information was collected by face-to-face interviews with women who sought premarital healthcare and planned to become pregnant within the next 12 months from November 2009 through December 2012. Information regarding food consumption was obtained by means of 24-hr dietary recall. Folate values were assigned to foods according to the China Food Composition 2004. Factors associated with dietary folate intake were analyzed by multiple linear regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean (± standard deviation) and median (interquartile range) daily folate intake levels were 114.3 ± 59.7 and 102.8 (69.3-146.8) μg/day, respectively. Over 99% of the subjects had an intake level below 320 μg/day, the estimated average requirement for nonpregnant women. Only 1% and 7% of the women consumed 75% and 50%, respectively, of the recommended daily folate intake of 400 μg for nonpregnant women. Over 80% of total folate consumption came from cereals, vegetables, and tubers, whereas fruit consumption was severely lacking. Underweight women, farmers, women enrolled during the winter, and women with access to fewer food types or daily meals were more likely to exhibit low folate intake levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dietary folate intake among study participants was far below the recommended intake level. Folic acid fortification of cereals is advised to raise folate intake in rural Chinese women planning to become pregnant.
authors: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Peking, China; Institute of Reproductive and Child Health/Ministry of Health Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Peking University; and Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China.
authors: Qinqin
authors: Q
authors: Meng
authors: Le
authors: L
authors: Zhang
authors: Jufen
authors: J
authors: Liu
authors: Zhiwen
authors: Z
authors: Li
authors: Lei
authors: L
authors: Jin
authors: Yali
authors: Y
authors: Zhang
authors: Linlin
authors: L
authors: Wang
authors: Aiguo
authors: A
authors: Ren
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005527:Food, Fortified; D006801:Humans; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D011247:Pregnancy; D012424:Rural Population; D014803:Vitamin B Complex / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014803:Vitamin B Complex; D005492:Folic Acid
keywords: 24-hr dietary recall; dietary survey; folate; food source; reproductive-aged women