In:
Public Health Nutrition, Cambridge University Press (CUP), Vol. 15, No. 10 ( 2012-10), p. 1818-1826
Abstract:
We assessed serum homocysteine (tHcy) and folate concentrations among US adolescents before and after fortification of cereal-grain products with folic acid, and associations with demographic, behavioural and physiological factors. Design Observational study conducted among participants of a randomized trial. Setting The Child and Adolescent Trial for Cardiovascular Health (CATCH) study. Subjects Adolescents ( n 2445) in grades 8 (pre-fortification, mean age 14 years) and 12 (post-fortification, mean age 18 years). Results Average serum concentrations of tHcy, folate and vitamin B 6 increased by 17 %, 16 % and 14 %, respectively, while serum concentrations of vitamin B 12 decreased by 11 % post-fortification. Folic acid fortification provided, on average, an additional intake of 118 μg folate/d. Male sex ( P 〈 0·0001) and white race ( P = 0·0008) were associated with significantly greater increases in tHcy concentration, while increases in BMI ( P = 0·006) and serum folate concentration ( P 〈 0·0001) were associated with significant decreases in tHcy concentration. Female sex ( P 〈 0·0001), non-smoking ( P 〈 0·0001), use of multivitamins ( P 〈 0·0001) and higher dietary intake of folate ( P = 0·001) were associated with significantly greater increases in serum folate concentrations. From grade 8 to grade 12, the upward age trend in serum tHcy concentration was uninterrupted in its course ( P 〉 0·50); whereas serum folic acid concentration showed a downward trend that incurred a discrete jump upward (17 % higher; P 〈 0·0001) with fortification. These trends differed significantly for males v . females ( P 〈 0·001 for interaction). Conclusions Fortification had a significant impact on improving folate status but not serum tHcy concentrations among US adolescents.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1368-9800
,
1475-2727
DOI:
10.1017/S1368980012002984
Language:
English
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Publication Date:
2012
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2016337-X
SSG:
21
Bookmarklink