Folate deficiency is associated with obesity and anemia in Mexican urban women

The objective was to evaluate folate status in non-pregnant, non-lactating (NPNL) urban Mexican women of childbearing age, determining the prevalence of deficiency and related risk factors. One hundred and seventeen NPNL women who attended the outpatient clinic of a teaching gyneco obstetric hospital in Mexico City were evaluated in a cross-sectional study. Their folate (erythrocyte and plasma concentrations), iron (hemoglobin and ferritin concentrations) and vitamin B12 (plasma concentrations) status was evaluated. None of these women reported consuming vitamins, alcohol or drugs that could interfere with the metabolism of this nutrients. Anemia prevalence was close to 12% (hemoglobin < 130 g/L) and the most frequent isolated deficiency found was of folic acid (20.5%), followed by iron deficiency (13.7 %). Only 11.9% had vitamin B12 deficiency judged by plasma concentrations. The most important risk factors for folate deficiency were the presence of anemia (Odds ratio 4.16, 95% CI = 1.3 - 13.14) and obesity (odds ratio 50.00, 95% CI = 13.39 - 186.95) (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc.