Maternal folic acid supplementation during pregnancy in association with childhood overweight or obesity
Main finding · Childhood OWOResult — go to the resultAdjusted odds ratio 0.70 95% CI 0.50–0.99Authors' conclusion
This study provides novel evidence that maternal FAS during pregnancy was significantly associated with a decreased risk of childhood OWO and adiposity, particularly among children with no breastfeeding and lower parental educational level.
Study context
- Population
- Children in a population-based cohort; BMI and body fat percentages measured at mean age 6.4 years
- Participants
- 1,479 children
- Exposure
- Maternal folic acid supplementation (FAS) during pregnancy vs no FAS
- Outcome
- Childhood overweight or obesity (OWO) or adiposity
- Follow-up
- Mean age 6.4 years
Methodological detailsretrospective assessment of exposure by questionnaire
- Retrospective assessment of exposure by questionnaire
Main finding
Childhood OWO
Adjusted odds ratio
0.70
95% CI 0.50–0.99
FASvs No FAS
aOR 0.70 (95% CI 0.50–0.99)
As reported in the abstract
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Adiposity measures · mean age 6.4 yearsFAS vs No FAS | β, BMI z score −0.22 (95% CI −0.39 to −0.05) |
| Adiposity measures · mean age 6.4 yearsFAS vs No FAS | β, whole body fat percentage −1.28 (95% CI −2.27 to −0.30) |
| Adiposity measures · mean age 6.4 yearsFAS vs No FAS | β, trunk fat percentage −1.41 (95% CI −2.78 to −0.04) |
| Adiposity measures · mean age 6.4 yearsFAS vs No FAS | β, limb fat percentage −1.31 (95% CI −2.32 to −0.30) |
Stratified analyses (breastfeeding, parental education)
- Inverse associations of FAS with OWO, BMI z score and body fat percentages predominantly among children without breastfeeding and whose parents had below-tertiary education
Original publication
Maternal folic acid supplementation during pregnancy in association with childhood overweight or obesity. Obesity (Silver Spring). Published 4 April 2024. doi:10.
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