Factors Affecting Women's Perceptions of Folate-Containing Foods

Abstract

Many women of childbearing age are not consuming the recommended intake of folate to prevent neural tube defects. To promote healthy dietary change, it is important to understand factors that influence food choices Seven focus group discussions were conducted with 57 women of childbearing age to determine their attitudes about foods containing folate and their perceptions of influences on their food choices. A second objective was to obtain the women's ideas on strategies that nutrition professionals could use to improve the intake of folate-containing foods. The Social Cognitive Theory was used as the theoretical framework to design the interview questions and understand factors affecting behavior. A content analysis of the transcripts revealed common themes for influences on food choices to be taste, cost, convenience, and family preferences. The women's perceptions of influences differed among the food categories of fruits, vegetables, and grains. To impact food choices, the women suggested television commercials as the best way to make nutrition information accessible. The women commonly recommended that dietary improvement information include specifics on the nutrients, what to eat, how much to eat, benefits to eating those foods, and ways to incorporate the changes into a busy lifestyle. Determining influences on food choices and women's altitudes about food will help nutrition professionals develop effective intervention strategics to improve folate intake in women.