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Updated: Aug 14, 2026
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Modifying Levels of Maternal Dietary Folic Acid or Choline to Study the Impact of Deficiencies on Offspring Health Outcomes
Published on: June 28, 2024
Does Folic Acid Intake Play Role as a Potential Indicator of Modifiable Maternal Risk Factors in Preconception
Dong Won Hwang1,2, Kyoung-Chul Chun2, Young Ah Kim2
1Korean Mother Safe Center, Inje University Ilsan Paik Hospital, Goyang, Korea.
Women'S Health Reports (New Rochelle, N.Y.)
|August 13, 2026
Summary
Folic acid intake before pregnancy is low at 35.1%, despite modest improvements. This essential nutrient intake is linked to various health behaviors and socioeconomic factors, highlighting its role in preconception health awareness.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Health
- Public Health
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Folic acid is crucial for preventing neural tube defects and ensuring normal fetal development.
- Preconception care programs aim to optimize maternal health before pregnancy.
- Understanding folic acid intake patterns is vital for improving pregnancy outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the prevalence and trends of folic acid intake among women in a preconception care program.
- To examine the association between folic acid intake and modifiable health risk factors (biomedical, behavioral, social).
- To assess folic acid intake as a potential indicator of health awareness and engagement in preconception care.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving 42,730 women in Seoul, Korea (Nov 2017 - Dec 2023).
- Data collected via online questionnaires on folic acid intake and health risk factors.
- Analysis excluded participants with incomplete data.
Main Results:
- Only 35.1% of participants reported taking folic acid.
- Higher intake was associated with advanced maternal age, higher BMI, increased gravidity, prior abortions, regular exercise, and higher income.
- Lower intake was linked to depression, insomnia, eating disorders, risky alcohol consumption, smoking, unmarried status, and white-collar jobs.
Conclusions:
- Preconception folic acid intake remains low, with insufficient annual improvement.
- Folic acid consumption is significantly associated with various modifiable health risk factors.
- Folic acid use may act as a surrogate marker for health awareness and engagement in preconception care.
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