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. DESIGN: 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. PARTICIPANTS: Responses from nonpregnant Texas women of ages 18 to 44 were analyzed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: 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.