葉酸と神経管閉鎖障害ならびにライフスタイル指導に関する栄養士の認知度調査 (2007年)

抄録

A randomized control trial in the United Kingdom demonstrated in 1991 that a periconceptional intake of folate supplements prevented a 72% recurrence of neural tube defects. A questionnaire was sent to 400 Japanese dieticians in 2007 to assess their awareness of the role played by folic acid in fetal development and their involvement in advising improvements to the life style of pregnant women and young women of reproductive age. The 50.6% proportion of the dieticians that were aware of the preventive effect of folic acid was not significantly different from the figure of 53.6% from a study 5 years ago. Those who recommended stopping smoking, abstaining from alcohol, taking a folate supplement and having a well-balanced diet were 78.1%, 76.9%, 20.0%, and 87.5%, respectively, and 91.9% agreed to giving information to young women of child-bearing age. Since the awareness among dieticians of folic acid has not increased during the past 5 years, they need to make a concerted effort to learn the important role of folic acid.