Acculturation factors and usual folate intakes among Mexican American women: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2003–2006

Abstract

MA women are at a higher risk for having a pregnancy affected by a neural tube defect which could be prevented by adequate folic acid consumption; however, research has suggested the acculturation could impact dietary intakes. We compared usual folate intakes in non‐Hispanic white (NHW) (n = 982) and Mexican American (MA) (n = 651) women aged 15–44 years by acculturation factors. We estimated usual folate intakes accounting for within‐individual variance using two 24 hour diet recalls and average daily supplement intake from NHANES 2003–2006. Median usual folic acid intakes from fortified foods alone did not differ between NHW and MA women, 173 and 183 ug/d, respectively. Median usual intake of natural food folate did not differ between NHW and MA women, 170 and 182 ug/d, respectively. Compared to NHW women, MA women had lower median usual total folic acid intakes (275 vs. 229 ug/d) and were less likely to report use of supplements with folic acid, 37% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 31%, 57%) vs. 20% (95% CI:15%, 25%). The reported use of supplements with folic acid was 34% (95% CI: 23%, 48%), 12% (95% CI: 4%, 28%), and 13% (95% CI: 7%, 23%) among MA women who reported speaking English, speaking English and Spanish, or speaking Spanish, respectively. Programs aimed at increasing folate intake should focus on reaching women who are less likely to use supplements with folic acid such as MA women who speak Spanish. Research funded by CDC.