Despite the introduction of mandatory folic acid fortification, Australian women of childbearing age may not obtain the estimated average requirements for folate

Background Despite the importance of folate in reducing the risk of Neural Tube Defects (NTDs) and the widespread introduction of mandatory folic acid fortification, there remains a lack of data on the sources where child bearing age women are obtaining their folate requirements. Objective We aimed to assess the folate status and dietary intake of folate in a sample of Australian women of childbearing age and to estimate the major contributors of folate intake. Methods Across-sectional study of forty-five (N=45) women (aged 18–47) conducted in Brisbane, Australia. Dietary intake of folate, assessed as Dietary Folate Equivalents (DFE’s) was measured via a validated food frequency questionnaire. Serum and red blood cell folate of participants were measured via commercial automated competitive binding assay. Results No participants were deficient in either serum or red blood cell folate, however, over one third of the group (n=16) did not consume an adequate intake of folate according to the Estimated Average Requirements (EAR). Meeting the EAR of dietary intake for folate was significantly associated with increased odds of having higher red blood cell folate status (OR=3.83;p=<0.05). Proportionally, folic acid fortified bread contributed 15.4% of total dietary folate intake. Conclusions Mandatory folic acid fortification provided a substantial proportion of the dietary folate intake in this sample. However, despite the mandatory fortification of bread making flour with folic acid a considerable proportion (36%) did not meet the estimated average requirement of dietary folate. Future studies should include females of childbearing age belonging to vulnerable populations, to elucidate the adequacy of folate intake in these groups and assess the impact of low intakes in these populations on blood folate status. Support or Funding Information David Borradale was supported via Queensland University of Technology’s Postgraduate Research Award and project costs were supported via a Queensland University of Technology’s small grant award