Abstract

The lack of mandated folate enrichment of gluten-free (GF) grains in Canada has been suspected to contribute to suboptimal folate intake among children suffering from Celiac disease (CD). Children with CD on the gluten-free diet (GFD) face nutrient imbalances (higher fat/sugar, lower folate) from processed GF foods. The study objective examined folate intake in children with CD and folate content of household food purchases. Households collected food receipts for 30 days to assess folate content. Folate-rich foods were defined as ≥60 µg dietary folate equivalent (DFE)/100g. Two 24-hour recalls assessed children’s intake. Households (n = 73) purchased >17,000 food items. Median child age was 10.5 y (IQR: 8.4–14.1). GF folate-rich foods represented <15% of all household food purchases and 69% of children had low folate intakes. Folate-rich foods consumed included legumes/GF-breakfast cereals. These represented 5% of GF-food purchases/intake. Few were fortified with folate. Findings highlight the need for mandated GF folate food fortification policy.

摘要

据怀疑加拿大缺乏强制性的无麸质（GF）谷物叶酸富集，这导致患腹腔疾病（CD）的儿童的叶酸摄入不足。患有无麸质饮食（GFD）的CD儿童面临着来自经过加工的GF食品的营养失衡（脂肪/糖含量较高，叶酸含量较低）的问题。该研究目标检查了患有CD的儿童的叶酸摄入量和家庭购买食品中的叶酸含量。家庭收集了30天的食物收据以评估叶酸含量。富含叶酸的食物定义为≥60 µg膳食叶酸当量（DFE）/ 100g。两次24小时召回评估了儿童的摄入量。家庭数 = 73）购买了> 17,000种食品。儿童年龄中位数为10.5岁（IQR：8.4–14.1）。富含GF的叶酸食品占所有家庭食品购买量的15％以下，而69％的儿童叶酸摄入量较低。食用富含叶酸的食物包括豆类/ GF早餐谷物。这些占GF食品购买/摄入量的5％。很少有人用叶酸强化。调查结果强调了强制性的GF叶酸食品强化政策的必要性。