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Author Spotlight: Studying the Impact of Maternal Dietary Deficiencies on Long-Term Offspring Health Outcomes
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Factors associated with not using folic acid supplements preconceptionally
Judith Manniën1, Ank de Jonge1, Martina C Cornel2
11Department of Midwifery Science,AVAG and the EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research,VU University Medical Center,Van der Boechorststraat 7 (MF-D4.44),1081 BT Amsterdam,The Netherlands.
Public Health Nutrition
|October 11, 2013
Summary
Preconception folic acid use in the Netherlands remains suboptimal, with non-Western ethnicity and lack of a partner linked to inadequate intake. Fortifying staple foods may improve coverage, especially for unplanned pregnancies.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Reproductive Health
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Neural tube defects (NTDs) are common global birth defects.
- Folic acid supplementation before and during early pregnancy significantly reduces NTD risk.
- Despite past campaigns, folic acid use in the Netherlands requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the current prevalence of folic acid supplementation before conception in the Netherlands.
- To identify sociodemographic and lifestyle factors associated with inadequate folic acid intake.
- To inform strategies for improving folic acid consumption among pregnant women.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the population-based DELIVER cohort study.
- Surveyed 5975 pregnant women across 20 midwifery practices in the Netherlands (2009-2010).
- Collected data on sociodemographic factors, lifestyle, and folic acid intake via questionnaire.
Main Results:
- Only 55.5% of women used folic acid supplements preconceptionally.
- Non-Western ethnicity and not having a partner were significantly associated with lower folic acid use.
- Preconception folic acid intake appears to be suboptimal and has not improved in recent years.
Conclusions:
- Current folic acid intake before conception in the Netherlands is insufficient.
- Targeted interventions are needed, particularly for vulnerable populations.
- Food fortification with folic acid warrants reconsideration for broader public health impact.
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