Women Still Forgetting Their Folic Acid

Women Still Forgetting Their Folic Acid

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.Onlyonethird of women of childbearing age take a multivitamin containing folic acidon a daily basis, according to the March of Dimesa percentage that has notchanged significantly since the organization and federal agencies startingpromoting the need for folate intake more than a decade ago. In the nationalsurvey, conducted by The Gallup Organization and funded by the U.S.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 84 percent ofchildbearingaged women reported they were aware of the benefits of folic acid.However, only 24 percent of women aged 18 to 24 and 36 percent of women aged 25to 45 take a daily vitamin with folic acid; and only 7 percent of women knewfolic acid should be taken before pregnancy to be effective.

The survey results show that despite our efforts and thoseof other organizations, two-thirds of women ages 18 to 45 are not taking all thenecessary steps to help reduce the risk of neural tube defects, said JenniferL. Howse, M.D., president of the March of Dimes (www.marchofdimes.com). Weneed to increase the amount of folic acid in the grain supply and add it to cornflour.That way, women will get most of the folic acid they need through ahealthy diet without having to think about it.