Online first
Current issue
Archive
Special Issues
About the Journal
Publication Ethics
1/2018 vol. 25
Stats
CC BY-NC 3.0 Poland
Get citation
RESEARCH PAPER
How is the process of setting micronutrients recommendations reflected in nutrition policies in Poland? The case study of folate
Ewa Sicińska 1
,
 
Marta Jeruszka-Bielak 1
,
 
Wojciech Roszkowski 1
,
 
Anna Brzozowska 1
,
 
Mirosław Jarosz 2
,
 
Monique M. Raats 3
 
 
 
More details
Hide details
1
Department of Human Nutrition, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Warsaw, Poland
 
2
The National Food and Nutrition Institute, Warsaw, Poland
 
3
Food Consumer Behaviour and Health Research Centre, School of Psychology, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, United Kingdom
 
 
Corresponding author
Ewa Sicińska   

Department of Human Nutrition, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Warsaw, Poland
 
 
Ann Agric Environ Med. 2018;25(1):82-86
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5604/12321966.1230670
 
 
Article (PDF)
References (25)
 
KEYWORDS
micronutrients
nutrition policy
public health
folate
 
ABSTRACT
Introduction and objective:
Ensuring the adequate intake of micronutrients by populations is an important aspect of public health. This study aims to elucidate the process of setting nutrition recommendations and the development of subsequent policies associated with micronutrients in Poland by using the case study of folate.

Material and Methods:
The study was based on 13 interviews conducted between October 2010 – February 2011, and desk research comprising a review of the associated scientific literature and relevant documents, such as scientific opinions and reports of the meetings of scientific committees. The interviews were conducted within the EURRECA (EURopean micronutrient RECommendations Aligned) Network of Excellence in the frame of the European Union’s 6th Framework Programme.

Results:
Since 1997, the Experts Group of the Ministry of Health recommended that all women of childbearing age should consume folic acid as a supplement to prevent neural tube defects in their offspring. The fortification of foodstuffs with folic acid is not obligatory. This study describes the revision of the folate nutrient recommendation and the process by which strategies to increase the intake of this vitamin by the Polish population were identified. The institution responsible for the choice and implementation of folate policy is the Ministry of Health and the National Food and Nutrition Institute is responsible for setting/updating the nutrient recommendations.

Conclusions:
The current Polish nutrition recommendations for folate are consistent with the levels set by most other countries. The constant improvement of nutritional knowledge on folate among consumers, especially young women, is necessary.

 
REFERENCES (25)
1.
Cavelaars AE, Doets EL, Dhonukshe-Rutten RA, Hermoso M, Fairweather-Tait SJ, Koletzko B, et al. Prioritizing micronutrients for the purpose of reviewing their requirements: a protocol developed by EURRECA. Eur J ClinNutr. 2010; 64(Suppl 2): S19–30.
Google Scholar
 
 
2.
Sicińska E, Wyka J. Folate intake in Poland on the basis of literature from the last ten years (2000–2010). Rocz Panstw Zakl Hig. 2011; 62(3): 247–256 (in Polish).
Google Scholar
 
 
3.
Bojar I, Owoc A, Humeniuk E, Wierzba W, Fronczak A. Inappropriate consumption of vitamins and minerals by pregnant women in Poland. Ann Agric Environ Med. 2012; 19(2): 263–266.
Google Scholar
 
 
4.
Dietary reference intakes for thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B 6 , folate, vitamin B 12 , panthotenic acid, biotin and choline. Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine, Natl. Acad. Press, Washington DC 2000.
Google Scholar
 
 
5.
Latos-Bieleńska A, Materna-Kiryluk A. Wrodzone Wady Rozwojowe w Polsce w latach 2005–2006. Dane z Polskiego Rejestru Wrodzonych Wad Rozwojowych (Polish Registry of CongenitalMalformations) Ośrodek Wydawnictw Naukowych, Poznań, 2010. p.11–14. http://www.rejestrwad.pl/ (access: 2013.12.16) (in Polish).
Google Scholar
 
 
6.
Matthys C, van ‘t Veer P, de Groot L, Hooper L, Cavelaars AEJM, Collings R et al. EURRECA’s Approach for Estimating Micronutrient Requirements. Int J VitamNutr Res. 2011; 81(4): 256–263.
Google Scholar
 
 
7.
Statut Instytutu Żywnościi Żywienia (Statute of the National Food and Nutrition Institute) http://www.izz.waw.pl/images/s... (access: 2013.12.16) (in Polish).
Google Scholar
 
 
8.
Jarosz M, Bułhak-Jachymczyk (eds.): Normy żywienia człowieka. Podstawy prewencji otyłości i chorób niezakaźnych (Polish Dietary Reference Intakes). PZWL, Warszawa 2008 (in Polish).
Google Scholar
 
 
9.
Jarosz M (ed.): Normy żywienia dla populacji polskiej – nowelizacja (Polish Dietary Reference Intakes – revision) IŻŻ, 2012. http://mail.izz.waw.pl/~it/NOR... 2012.pdf (access: 2013.12.16) (in Polish).
Google Scholar
 
 
10.
Ziemlański Ś, Bułhak-Jachymczyk B, Budzyńska-Topołowska J, Paczenko-Kresowska B, Wartanowicz H. Recommended dietary allowances for Polish population (energy, protein, fat, vitamins and minerals) Żyw Człow Metab. 1994; 21(4): 303–338 (in Polish).
Google Scholar
 
 
11.
Stanowisko Zespołu Ekspertów Ministerstwa Zdrowia i Opieki Społecznej w sprawie zapobiegania wadom wrodzonym cewy nerwowej u potomstwa poprzez stosowanie kwasu foliowego (The standpoint of the Experts Group of the Ministry of Health and Human Welfare regarding prevention of inbred defects of neural tube in children using folic acid). Żyw Człow Metab. 1997; 24(1): 91–93 (in Polish).
Google Scholar
 
 
12.
Instytut Matki i Dziecka: Program pierwotnej profilaktyki wad cewy nerwowej (National Research Institute of Mother and Child: Primary prevention program of neural tube defects). http://www.imid.med.pl (access: 2013.12.16) (in Polish).
Google Scholar
 
 
13.
Rozporządzenie Ministra Zdrowia z dnia 16 września 2010 r. w sprawie substancji wzbogacających dodawanych do żywności (Regulation of the Ministry of Health on fortificants to foods, 16.09.2010) (in Polish).
Google Scholar
 
 
14.
Vitamin and Mineral requirements in human nutrition. WHO and FAO, Rome 2004.
Google Scholar
 
 
15.
Naruszewicz M, Członkowska A, Gaciong Z, Opolski G. Stanowisko Grupy Ekspertów w sprawie wzbogacania mąki kwasem foliowym (The standpoint of the Experts Group regarding on strategy to flour fortification with folic acid). Czynniki Ryzyka 2005; 1–2(45–46): 4 (in Polish).
Google Scholar
 
 
16.
Zarządzenie Ministra Zdrowia z dnia 25 kwietnia 2006 r. w sprawie powołania Zespołu do spraw opracowania strategii działań na rzecz suplementacji mąki kwasem foliowym, Dz.Urz.MZ.06.07.26 (Regulation of Ministry of Health appointed Scientific Advisory Committee on 25 April 2006 on strategy to flour fortification with folic acid. Off J Ministry Health 06.07.26. Dz U M Z 06.07.26) (in Polish).
Google Scholar
 
 
17.
Raport końcowy i rekomendacje Zespołu ds. Opracowania strategii działań na rzecz suplementacji mąki kwasem foliowym powołany dn. 2006.04.25 (Final report and recommendations: Scientific Advisory Committee on Strategy to Flour Fortification – set up in 2006.04.25) (unpublished data, in Polish).
Google Scholar
 
 
18.
Timotijevic L, Brown KA, Lähteenmäki L, de Wit L, Sonne AM, Ruprich J, Řehůřková I, Jeruszka-Bielak M, Sicińska E, Brito García N, Guzzon A, Jensen BB, Shepherd R, Barnett J, Raats MM. EURRECA – A Framework for Considering Evidence in Public Health Nutrition Policy. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2013; 53(10): 1124–1134.
CrossRef
 
Google Scholar
 
 
19.
Sicińska E, Wasik M. Dietary supplements as an additional source of folic acid. Bromat Chem Toksykol. 2012; 45(2): 152–158 (in Polish).
Google Scholar
 
 
20.
Sicińska E, Jeruszka-Bielak M, Masalska K, Wronowski S. Food fortified with vitamins on the Warsaw market. Rocz Panstw Zakl Hig. 2013; 64(4): 293–298.
Google Scholar
 
 
21.
Sicińska E, Bojarska K. Intakes of folic acid from dietary supplements and fortified products in students. Rocz Panstw Zakl Hig. 2013; 64(1): 55–59.
Google Scholar
 
 
22.
Tlałka E, Zadarko-Domaradzka M, Sobolewska M. Knowledge and attitude of women towards the diet supplementation with folic acid against the background of country-wide Program of Prevention of Neural Tube Defects. Prz Med. Uniw Rzesz Inst Lekow. 2008; 2: 161–165 (in Polish).
Google Scholar
 
 
23.
Ehmke vel Emczyńska E, Kunachowicz H. Questionnaire research among women of childbearing age concerning preliminary prevention of neutral tube defects. Hygeia Public Health 2011; 46(1): 47–50 (in Polish).
Google Scholar
 
 
24.
Bagłaj M, Wojtyłko A. Folic acid supplementation as prophylaxis of neural tube defect in the Lower Silesia region: fact or myth? Med Wieku Rozwoj. 2011; 15(4): 501–506 (in Polish).
Google Scholar
 
 
25.
Ministerstwo Zdrowia: 2009. Program kompleksowej diagnostyki i terapii wewnątrzmacicznej w profilaktyce następstw i powikłań wad rozwojowych i chorób płodu – jako element poprawy stanu zdrowia płodów i noworodków na lata 2009–2013. (Ministry of Health: 2009–2013 National plan for the diagnosis and treatment of NTDs). http://www.mz.gov.pl/wwwfiles/... (access: 2013.12.16) (in Polish).
Google Scholar
 
 
Share
Send by email
RELATED ARTICLE
Precision public health – hopes and threats
An analysis of health policy programmes on eye health implemented by Local Government Units (LGUs) in Poland, 2015–2023
Comparison of anthropometric indicators related to overweight and obesity by place of residence in a local community with a high social deprivation rate – a cross-sectional study
Multidrug resistance of Escherichia coli isolated from the urinary bladder of dogs and cats with suspected urinary tract infections
Blood glucose level testing in Poland – do socio-economic factors influence its frequency? A nationwide cross-sectional survey
Indexes
 
Keywords index
Topics index
Authors index
eISSN:1898-2263
ISSN:1232-1966
Journals System - logo
Improvement of editorial platform - task financed under the agreement No. 618/P-DUN/2019 by the Minister of Science and Higher Education allocated to the activities of disseminating science.

Improvement of visual identification of the journal - task financed under the agreement No. 618/P-DUN/2019 by the Minister of Science and Higher Education allocated to the activities of disseminating science.

Generation of the DOI (Digital Object Identifier) - task financed under the agreement No. 618/P-DUN/2019 by the Minister of Science and Higher
© 2006-2024 Journal hosting platform by Bentus
Scroll to top