Availability of folic acid from the diets of a group of expectant and non-expectant women of Coimbatore city
1980
Chandrasekhar, Usha | Malathi, D. | Hemalatha, K.P.A.
The intake and availability of folic acid was analyzed from the usual diets of 24 pregnant and 24 non-pregnant women of 3 different socioeconomic groups. Folic acid intakes of low, middle, and high income women were adequate with respect to recommended allowances, but availability was low (41-63%). Inadequate intakes of protein, ascorbic acid, and iron also were observed for all income groups. Low availability of folic acid may be due to absorption-inhibiting factors present in the women's cereal-based diets. Significant differences between pregnant and non-pregnant women's intakes were noted for iron (high and middle income groups). Analysis of variance between all 3 variables (income, pregnancy, and non-pregnancy) indicates significant differences in the folic acid content of the diet. Nutritional profiles (serum folate, hemoglobin, and iron levels) of 20 expectant women who received 200 mg iron and 500 mg folic acid for 1 month during the last trimester of pregnancy revealed that supplementation significantly improved nutritional status. (nm)
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