Folic acid supplementation among diabetic, overweight, or obese women of childbearing age.

OBJECTIVE

To examine whether obese, overweight, or diabetic women were equally likely to supplement with folic acid as normal-weight or nondiabetic women.

METHODS

Texas Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System was used to compare folic acid supplementation rates among obese, overweight, or diabetic women to those of normal-weight or nondiabetic women.

METHODS

Responses from nonpregnant Texas women of ages 18 to 44 were analyzed.

METHODS

Odds ratios were calculated for association between diabetes, body mass index, and folic acid supplementation.

RESULTS

Of 6,835 participants, 35% reported daily folic acid supplementation. Obese women were less likely to supplement, even after adjustment for other factors.

CONCLUSIONS

All women of childbearing age, but especially those who are obese or diabetic, should be encouraged to take folic acid daily to reduce the risk of neural tube defects.