Dietary Reference Values (DRVs) The distribution of nutrient requirements within a population.

Learning objectives To know about the development of Dietary Reference Values. To understand Estimated Average Reference (EAR) values. To understand Reference Nutrient Intake (RNI) values. To understand Lower Reference Nutrient Intake (LRNI) values.

Nutritional Requirements In 1991, a committee of experts researched and set the Dietary Reference Values (DRVs). DRVs are a series of estimates of the amount of energy and nutrients needed by different groups of healthy people in the UK population.

Nutritional Requirements It is important to recognise that individual nutritional needs vary widely. These figures are based on population groups, not individuals. The Reference Nutrient Intake (RNI) is the amount of a nutrient that is enough to ensure that the needs of nearly all the population (97.5%) are being met.

Reference Nutrient Intake The distribution of nutrient requirements within a population. Number of people RNI Requirements

RNI for calcium Children Vitamin A μg/day 0-3 months 350 4-6 months 1-3 years 400 4-6 years 500 7-10 years Males Vitamin A μg/day 11-14 years 600 15-18 years 700 19-50 years 50 + Females Vitamin A μg/day 11-14 years 600 15-18 years 19-50 years 50+ years Pregnancy +100 Lactation +350

Nutritional Requirements The Estimated Average Requirement (EARs) is an estimate of the average requirement for energy, for a nutrient. Approximately 50% of the population will need less energy or the nutrient and 50% of the population will need more.

Estimated Average Requirement The distribution of nutrient requirements within a population. Number of people EAR Requirements

EAR for energy Children Boys MJ/day Girls 0-3 months 2.28 2.16 2.89 2.69 7-9 months 3.44 3.20 10-12 months 3.85 3.61 1-3 years 5.15 4.86 4-6 years 7.16 6.46 7-10 years 8.24 7.28

EAR for energy Females MJ/day 11-14 years 7.72 15-18 years 8.83 8.10 51-59 years 8.00 60-64 years 7.99 65-74 years 7.96 75+ years 7.61 Males MJ/day 11-14 years 9.27 15-18 years 11.51 19-50 years 10.60 51-59 years 60-64 years 9.93 65-74 years 9.71 75+ years 8.77 Pregnancy MJ/day (0-3 months only) +0.8 Lactation (0-1 month) +1.9 (0-2 months) +2.2 (2-3 months) +2.4 Group 1 (4-6 months) +2.0 (6+ months) +1.0 Group 2 +2.3

Nutritional Requirements The Lower Reference Nutrient Intake (LRNI) is the amount of a nutrient that is enough for only the small number of people who have low requirements (2.5%). The majority of the population will need more.

Lower Reference Nutrient Intake The distribution of nutrient requirements within a population. Number of people LRNI Requirements

Nutritional Requirements The following two tables show the percentage of the male and female population in Britain who were not achieving the Lower Reference Nutrient Intake (LRNI) of vitamins and minerals in 2003.

Vitamin & mineral intakes: % below LRNI Age (years) % British males below LRNI < 4 4 - 6 7 - 10 11 - 14 15 - 18 19 - 34 35 - 64 65+ Riboflavin 4 6 7 1 2 Vitamin B6 Vitamin B12 Folate Vitamin A 3 12 16 5 Iron Calcium 9 Magnesium 28 18 8 What conclusions can be drawn from this table? Source: National Diet and Nutrition Survey 2003

Vitamin & mineral intakes: % below LRNI Age (years) % British Females below LRNI < 4 4 - 6 7 - 10 11 - 14 15 - 18 19 - 34 35 - 64 65+ Riboflavin 1 22 21 12 5 9 Vitamin B6 7 2 Vitamin B12 Folate 3 4 Vitamin A 8 20 13 Iron 16 44 48 40 23 Calcium 24 19 Magnesium 51 53 What conclusions can be drawn from this table? Source: National Diet and Nutrition Survey 2003

Dietary Reference Values DRVs are important for ensuring adequate intakes of energy and nutrients occurs throughout life. Many health concerns and illnesses are linked to malnutrition. The DRVs assist in preventing malnutrition.

Dietary Reference Values In summary: EAR is used for energy. RNI is often used as a reference amount for population groups. LRNI is a useful measure of nutritional inadequacy.

Review of the learning objectives To know about the development of Dietary Reference Values To understand Estimated Average Reference (EAR) values. To understand Reference Nutrient Intake (RNI) values. To understand Lower Reference Nutrient Intake (LRNI) values.

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