DRI for groups

Question 1

ear and RDA

WHAT IS USED TO ASSESS GROUPS

Answer 1

Use EAR {set based on evidence} to set Recommended Intake
The EAR is the level to meet 50 % of the group
The RDA is the level to meet the needs of 97.5% of group
RDA = EAR + 2(SDEAR)

ear IS USED FOR GROUPS

Question 2

Use of DRIs:

Assessing Intakes FOR INDIVIDUALS

Answer 2

For an Individual
EAR: Use to examine the
probability that usual intake is
inadequate
RDA: Usual intake at/above this
level has low probability of
inadequacy
AI: Usual intake at/above this
level has low probability of
inadequacy
UL: Usual intake above this level
may place individual at risk of
adverse effects from
excessive nutrient intake

Question 3

use of DRIs:

Assessing Intakes FOR A GROUP

Answer 3

EAR: Use to examine the
prevalence of inadequate
intakes within a group
RDA: Do not use to assess
intakes of groups
AI: Mean usual intake at/above
this level implies a low
prevalence of inadequate
intakes
UL: Use to estimate %
population at potential risk
of adverse effects from
excessive nutrient intake

Question 4

RDA is inappropriate for assessing

groups

Answer 4

RDA: intake levels that exceed
requirements of 97–98 % of all individuals
when requirements in the group have a
normal distribution
• Thus, RDA is not a cut-point for assessing
nutrient intakes of groups - serious
overestimation of the proportion of the
group at risk of inadequacy would result

Question 5

What proportion of individuals in a
group have usual intake below
requirements?

Answer 5

The percent below the EAR =

“EAR Cut-point method”

Question 6

Using the EAR to assess

groups

Answer 6

Obtain data on usual nutrient intake from all
sources (food & supplements).
• Adjust the intake distribution for
intra-individual variability if necessary (depends
on method)
• Determine the proportion with intakes below
the EAR - this is the proportion of the
population with inadequate intakes.

Question 7

Why EAR Cut-Point Works

Answer 7

If intake < EAR, not everyone is inadequate as
this meets the needs of 50% of a group
– there would be false positives shown in triangle 1
• If intake > EAR, not everyone is adequate
– there would be false negatives shown in triangle 2
• HOWEVER, Triangle 1 = Triangle 2 so error
cancels out
• THEREFORE, intake below EAR reflects
inadequacy of the group

Question 8

false positives

Answer 8

• If intake < EAR, not everyone is inadequate as

this meets the needs of 50% of a group

Question 9

false negatives

Answer 9

• If intake > EAR, not everyone is adequate

Question 10

Conditions When Using EAR

Cut-Point Does Not Work

Answer 10

Requirement and intake are not
independent: energy
• Variance of requirement > variance of
intake: institutional settings where
everyone eats the same foods

Question 11

Dietary Assessment of Groups

• Advantages;

Answer 11

– 24 h recall is usual intake of groups but needs
to be “adjusted”
– FFQs are fat if coded electronically = usual
intakes

Question 12

Dietary Assessment of Groups

challenges

Answer 12

Methods requiring multiple visits such as
diaries are very expensive
– Bias as those with poor diets do not
participate, dont have the right options availbale

difficult because conditions are caused by previous diets, not recent diets