Main sources and predictive factors of folate intake in female university students

The study aimed to identify the main folate sources and examine socio-demographic and lifestyle determinants influencing folate intake among 1410 women aged 18 to 39.

Data were collected using a self-administered health and lifestyle questionnaire and a 5-d dietary record method. To assess folate intake in relation to the dietary reference intakes, the probability approach was used. Folate intake determinants were identified using multivariate-adjusted logistic regression models; odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs).

The average total folate intake among women was 311 ± 144 µg/day dietary folate equivalents. Vegetables (30.7%) and cereals (22.6%) were the most important folate sources. Foods fortified with folic acid were consumed by 20.6% of women, dietary supplements by 7.2%. More than half of the participants (55%) had a high probability of inadequate folate intake. The predictors of being in the highest tertile of folate intake (>303 versus <225 µg) were: physical activity (high versus low; OR: 2.97, 95% CI: 1.77-4.97), nutritional knowledge (high versus low; OR: 5.32, 95% CI: 2.82-10.1), following a vegetarian diet (yes versus no; OR: 6.13; 95% CI: 2.79-13.5), daily number of meals (≥5 versus ≤3; OR: 4.17, 95% CI: 2.38-7.32), excluding/including some foods (yes versus no; OR: 2.47; 95% CI: 1.41-4.31) and energy intake (3rd versus 1st tertile; OR:17.4, 95% CI: 11.1-27.4).

Identifying factors associated with a higher intake of folate may be helpful in shaping public health nutrition policy. It allows the design of effective nutrition education programs to promote increased intake of folate in subgroups at risk of deficiency.