@article{2988625,
    title = "Comparison of standardised dietary folate intake across ten countries participating in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition",
    author = "Park, J.Y. and Nicolas, G. and Freisling, H. and Biessy, C. and Scalbert, A. and Romieu, I. and Chajès, V. and Chuang, S.-C. and Ericson, U. and Wallström, P. and Ros, M.M. and Peeters, P.H.M. and Mattiello, A. and Palli, D. and María Huerta, J. and Amiano, P. and Halkjær, J. and Dahm, C.C. and Trichopoulou, A. and Orfanos, P. and Teucher, B. and Feller, S. and Skeie, G. and Engeset, D. and Boutron-Ruault, M.-C. and Clavel-Chapelon, F. and Crowe, F. and Khaw, K.-T. and Vineis, P. and Slimani, N.",
    journal = "British Journal of Nutrition",
    year = "2012",
    volume = "108",
    number = "3",
    pages = "552-569",
    issn = "0007-1145, 1475-2662",
    doi = "10.1017/S0007114511005733",
    keywords = "folic acid, adult;  age distribution;  aged;  article;  cereal;  cohort analysis;  comparative study;  computer program;  cross-sectional study;  descriptive research;  dietary intake;  drinking behavior;  educational status;  ethnic group;  European;  European Union;  factual database;  feeding behavior;  female;  folic acid blood level;  food intake;  fruit;  geographic distribution;  health behavior;  human;  male;  nut;  nutritional requirement;  population research;  sex difference;  smoking;  standard;  study design;  vegetable;  vitamin intake;  vitamin supplementation, Adult;  Aged;  Cohort Studies;  Cross-Sectional Studies;  Diet;  Diet Surveys;  Europe;  Female;  Folic Acid;  Humans;  Male;  Middle Aged;  Neoplasms;  Seasons",
    abstract = "Folate plays an important role in the synthesis and methylation of DNA as a cofactor in one-carbon metabolism. Inadequate folate intake has been linked to adverse health events. However, comparable information on dietary folate intake across European countries has never been reported. The objective of the present study was to describe the dietary folate intake and its food sources in ten countries in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted in 36034 participants (aged 35-74 years) who completed a single 24h dietary recall using a computerised interview software program, EPIC-Soft® (International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon). Dietary folate intake was estimated using the standardised EPIC Nutrient DataBase, adjusted for age, energy intake, weight and height and weighted by season and day of recall. Adjusted mean dietary folate intake in most centres ranged from 250 to 350μg/d in men and 200 to 300μg/d in women. Folate intake tended to be lower among current smokers and heavier alcohol drinkers and to increase with educational level, especially in women. Supplement users (any types) were likely to report higher dietary folate intake in most centres. Vegetables, cereals and fruits, nuts and seeds were the main contributors to folate intake. Nonetheless, the type and pattern of consumption of these main food items varied across the centres. These first comparisons of standardised dietary folate intakes across different European populations show moderate regional differences (except the UK health conscious group), and variation by sex, educational level, smoking and alcohol-drinking status, and supplement use. © 2011 The Authors."
}