Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) are reference values that are quantitative estimates of nutrient intakes to be used for planning and assessing diets for healthy people. They include both recommended intakes and ULs as reference values (see Box 1). Although the reference values are based on data, the data are often scanty or drawn from studies that had limitations in addressing the question. Thus, scientific judgment is required in setting the reference values:
BOX 1
Uses of Dietary Reference Intakes for Healthy Individuals and Groups. RDA = Recommended Dietary Allowance EAR = Estimated Average Requirement
Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA): the average daily dietary intake level that is sufficient to meet the nutrient requirement of nearly all (97 to 98 percent) healthy individuals in a group.
Adequate Intake (AI): a value based on observed or experimentally determined approximations of nutrient intake by a group (or groups) of healthy people—used when an RDA cannot be determined.
Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL): the highest level of daily nutrient intake that is likely to pose no risk of adverse health effects to almost all individuals in the general population. As intake increases above the UL, the risk of adverse effects increases.
Estimated Average Requirement (EAR): a nutrient intake value that is estimated to meet the requirement of half the healthy individuals in a group.
The development of DRIs expands on the periodic reports called Recommended Dietary Allowances, which have been published since 1941 by the National Academy of Sciences. It is expected that as additional groups of nutrients and food components are reviewed over the next few years, the process and initial models developed will evolve and be further refined. As new information or processes develop, reference intakes will be periodically reassessed in keeping with this evolving process.
Recommended Dietary Allowance
The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) is the average daily dietary intake level that is sufficient to meet the nutrient requirement of nearly all (97 to 98 percent) healthy individuals in a particular gender and life stage group (life stage considers age and, when applicable, pregnancy or lactation).
Process for Setting the RDA
The process for setting the RDA depends on being able to set an Estimated Average Requirement (EAR). That is, the RDA is derived from the nutrient requirement so if an EAR cannot be set, no RDA will be set. The EAR is the daily intake value of a nutrient that is estimated to meet the nutrient requirement of half the healthy individuals in a life stage and gender group. Before setting the EAR, a specific criterion of adequacy is selected, based on a careful review of the literature. When selecting the criterion, reduction of disease risk is considered along with many other health parameters. The RDA is set at the EAR plus twice the standard deviation (SD) if known (RDA = EAR + 2 SD); if data about variability in requirements are insufficient to calculate an SD, a coefficient of variation for the EAR of 10 percent is ordinarily assumed (RDA = 1.2 x EAR).
The RDA for a nutrient is a value to be used as a goal for dietary intake by healthy individuals. The RDA is not intended to be used to assess the diets of either individuals or groups or to plan diets for groups.
Adequate Intake
The Adequate Intake (AI) is set instead of an RDA if sufficient scientific evidence is not available to calculate an EAR. The AI is based on observed or experimentally determined estimates of nutrient intake by a group (or groups) of healthy people. For example, the AI for young infants, for whom human milk is the recommended sole source of food for the first 4 to 6 months, is based on the daily mean nutrient intake supplied by human milk for healthy, full-term infants who are exclusively breastfed. The main intended use of the AI is as a goal for the nutrient intake of individuals. Other uses of AIs will be considered by another expert group.
Tolerable Upper Intake Level
The Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) is the highest level of daily nutrient intake that is likely to pose no risk of adverse health effects to almost all individuals in the general population. As intake increases above the UL, the risk of adverse effects increases. The term tolerable intake was chosen to avoid implying a possible beneficial effect. Instead, the term is intended to connote a level of intake that can, with high probability, be tolerated biologically. The UL is not intended to be a recommended level of intake. There is no established benefit for healthy individuals if they consume nutrient intakes above the RDA or AI.
ULs are useful because of the increased interest in and availability of fortified foods and the increased use of dietary supplements. ULs are based on total intake of a nutrient from food, water, and supplements if adverse effects have been associated with total intake. However, if adverse effects have been associated with intake from supplements or food fortificants only, the UL is based on nutrient intake from those sources only, not on total intake. The UL applies to chronic daily use.
For many nutrients, there are insufficient data on which to develop a UL. This does not mean that there is no potential for adverse effects resulting from high intake. When data about adverse effects are extremely limited, extra caution may be warranted.
FAQs
Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) is a generic term for a set of nutrient reference values that includes the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA), Adequate Intake (AI), Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL), and Estimated Average Requirement (EAR).
What are dietary reference intakes Quizlet? ›
Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) a set of nutrient intake values used to plan & evaluate diets for healthy people ( 4 types ) Estimated Energy Requirement (EER) Amount of calories an individual needs daily. Based on height, weight, gender, age, physical activity.
What is the definition of dietary intake? ›
Overview. Usual dietary intake is the long-term average daily intake of a nutrient or food. The concept of usual intake is important because dietary recommendations are intended to be met over time and diet-health hypotheses are based on dietary intakes over the long term.
Which dietary reference intake (dri) is set high enough to meet the needs of 97 to 98% of the population? ›
Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA)
The RDA is the average daily dietary intake level that is sufficient to meet the nutrient requirement of nearly all (97 to 98 percent) healthy individuals in a particular life-stage and gender group.
What are dietary intake guidelines? ›
On average, women should have around 2,000 calories a day (8,400 kilojoules) and men should have around 2,500 calories a day (10,500 kilojoules). We all need different amounts of energy (or calories) from food to be a healthy weight.
What is the definition of Amdr in nutrition? ›
Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Ranges (AMDR)
A range of intake for each energy source associated with reduced risk of chronic disease while providing adequate intake of essential nutrients.
What is the meaning of RDA? ›
Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) are the levels of intake of essential nutrients that, on the basis of scientific knowledge, are judged by the Food and Nutrition Board to be adequate to meet the known nutrient needs of practically all healthy persons.
What are the 4 types of DRIs? ›
WHAT ARE DIETARY REFERENCE INTAKES? The reference values, collectively called the DRIs, include the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR), the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA), the Adequate Intake (AI), and the Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL).
What is an RDA established based on quizlet? ›
RDAs are based on a multiple of the EARs (generally the RDA= EAR X 1.2) Because of this relationship, an RDA can be set only for nutrients that have an EAR. Estimated average requirement are daily nutrient intake amounts that are estimated to meet the needs of half of the people in a certain life stge.
Why is dietary intake important? ›
It protects you against many chronic noncommunicable diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer. Eating a variety of foods and consuming less salt, sugars and saturated and industrially-produced trans-fats, are essential for healthy diet. A healthy diet comprises a combination of different foods.
The Eatwell Guide shows that to have a healthy, balanced diet, people should try to: eat at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables every day (see 5 A Day) base meals on higher fibre starchy foods like potatoes, bread, rice or pasta. have some dairy or dairy alternatives (such as soya drinks)
What is intake defined as? ›
in·take ˈin-ˌtāk. 1. : a place where liquid or air is taken into something (as a pump) 2. : the act of taking in.
What is the Dietary Reference Intake? ›
Dietary reference intakes (DRIs) are a set of scientifically developed reference values for nutrients. DRI values provide the scientific basis for nutrition professionals, governments, and non-governmental organizations to carry out activities such as: Developing nutrition labels.
What are the dietary reference intakes DRI designed for Quizlet? ›
The Dietary Reference Intakes reflect the collaborative efforts of scientists to produce a set of standards for the amount of energy, nutrients, and other dietary components that best support health.
What does DRI stand for dietary requirements for individuals? ›
Nutrient Recommendations: Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI)
DRI is the general term for a set of reference values used to plan and assess nutrient intakes of healthy people.
What are the 6 DRIs? ›
The DRIs include the estimated average requirement (EAR) for vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients, including protein, essential fatty acids, carbohydrate, and fiber when possible, and three other reference values, the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs), the adequate intake (AI), and the tolerable upper intake ...
What is the RDI recommended daily intake? ›
A Recommended Dietary Intake (RDI), sometimes referred to as recommended daily intake, is the average daily intake level of a particular nutrient that is likely to meet the nutrient requirements of 97-98% of healthy individuals in a particular life stage or gender group.
What does rdi mean? ›
RDI (Recommended Dietary Intake) The average daily dietary intake level that is sufficient to meet the nutrient requirements of nearly all (97–98 per cent) healthy individuals in a particular life stage and gender group. AI (Adequate Intake) (used when an RDI cannot be determined)
What does EER stand for in nutrition? ›
The Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) define the daily requirement for energy as the Estimated Energy Requirement (EER). The EER is based on calculations that account for an individual's energy intake, energy expenditure, age, sex, weight, height, and physical activity level.
