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New Studies in The Journal of the American Dietetic Association Say Women Need to Know More About Folate and Birth Defects

Press Release

December 22, 1998

Media Contacts: Tom Ryan, Doris Acosta, or M. Johnna Thomas
E-mail: media@eatright.org
(Please do not publish/broadcast contact information)

NEW STUDIES IN THE JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN DIETETIC ASSOCIATION SAY WOMEN NEED TO KNOW MORE ABOUT FOLATE AND BIRTH DEFECTS

CHICAGO--Two new studies in the January 1999 issue of The Journal of The American Dietetic Association offer clear evidence that many women still have much to learn about folate and its crucial role in preventing birth defects.

In a survey of low-income pregnant women in Atlanta, most did not know that folate prevents neural tube defects such as spina bifida, couldn't define folate, couldn't name one food that contains it and did not take folic acid supplements. And more than 75 percent of residents of low-income neighborhoods in Hartford, Conn., had never heard of spina bifida or neural tube defects; four out of five did not know which nutrients can prevent neural tube defects; and the same number could not say whether or not a particular food was a good source of folate.

"This worries me, that women don't know about the importance of folate, because it is such a simple solution to problems that can cause such heartache," says ADA spokesperson Elizabeth Ward, a Boston registered dietitian and author of the association's book, "Pregnancy Nutrition: Good Health for You and Your Baby" (Chronimed Publishing, 1998).

According to government figures, as many as 75 percent of all serious birth defects of the spine and brain could be prevented if women consumed adequate daily amounts of folate or folic acid, either through their eating plans or by taking supplements.

"Folate is not the only nutrient that's important in pregnancy, but in terms of being something women can do to have healthy babies, it's one of the most important things they can do," Ward says.

Folate occurs naturally in leafy vegetables, lentils, orange juice and other foods. (See below for a partial list of foods and their folate content.) In addition to preventing birth defects, folate helps red blood cells develop and may help protect against heart disease. Folic acid, the synthetic form of folate, is used in vitamin supplements. And since January 1998, enriched grain products sold in the United States, such as cereals and pasta, have been fortified with folic acid.

"Since at least half of all pregnancies in this country are unplanned, and neural tube defects occur before most women know they're pregnant, every woman needs to consume folic acid during her childbearing years," says Ward.

The National Academy of Sciences recommends all women of childbearing age consume 400 micrograms of folate each day, but the average intake by American women is barely half that amount.

The American Dietetic Association is a member of the National Council on Folic Acid, a coalition of organizations and government agencies working to increase consumption of folate.

With the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation, the council will hold a conference in Washington, D.C., Jan. 28-29, 1999, beginning a national campaign to educate health professionals and the public on the importance of folate.

This partial list of foods that are good sources of folate is drawn from "Pregnancy Nutrition":

ADA strongly advises people to get their nutrients through foods first. For some, including pregnant women and women of childbearing age, the elderly, strict vegans or others unable to eat a variety of foods, supplementation may be warranted.

The Chicago-based ADA is the world's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. With nearly 70,000 members, ADA serves the public by promoting nutrition, health and well-being.

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Note to television reporters and producers: ADA spokesperson Elizabeth Ward, MS, RD, will be available for live satellite interviews January 28, 1999. She will discuss the latest in folate research, including the articles in the January Journal of The American Dietetic Association, and practical ways for women to get more folate into their eating plans. The interviews will coincide with an announcement by the Centers for Disease Control regarding folate awareness. A complete B-roll package with SOTs from Ward, footage of folate-rich foods and consumer resources, including Web sites and books, also will be fed that day. To schedule an interview with Ward, receive hard copies of the B-roll package or for more information, contact Tom Ryan, ADA Media Editorial Services Manager, (800) 877-1600, extension 4894. Below is the technical information for the B-roll feed:

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