DRVs & Evidence Based Nutrition

Question 0

Define a balanced diet.

Answer 0

A diet that provides a balance between supply and demand I.e. The supply of nutrients is equal to the requirement of the body for those nutrients

Question 1

Definite nutritional status whilst giving reference to good and poor nutritional status.

Answer 1

The state of an individual’s health in relation to the nutrients in their diet and availability within their body.

Good nutritional status: associated with a dietary pattern that supplies nutrients at a level sufficient to meet requirements, without excessive storage.

Poor nutritional status: generally (though not always) associated with intakes that are insufficient to meet requirements.

Question 2

Define under nutrition

Answer 2

When the demand for a nutrient is in excess of the supply for that nutrient e.g. Demands are high or intakes are low.

Question 3

What can under nutrition lead too?

Answer 3

Sub-clinical malnutrition (no signs of deficiency but biochemical indicators show that nutritional status is sub-normal)

Nutrient deficiency (supply of a nutrient is compromised to the extent that clinical or metabolic symptoms appear)

Malnutrition (nutrient supply has declined to the point where normal physiological functions can no longer be maintained)

Question 4

Define over nutrition.

Answer 4

The supply of a nutrient is in excess of demand e.g. Intakes of foods containing the nutrient increases above the level of demand.

Question 5

What are some risks of over nutrition?

Answer 5

Cause harm if stored in excess

Cause harm if excreted in excess (eg high salt diets can cause kidney damage)

Cause harm if supplied in mega doses

Impact up one nutritional status with respect to other nutrients (eg excess intake of iron can impact absorption of zinc and copper)

Question 6

What factors affect nutrient requirements?

Answer 6

Age, body, physical activity, lactation, pregnancy, illness or trauma & sex

Question 7

Define dietary reference value (DRV)

Answer 7

A general term which covers all the figures of EAR, RNI & LRNI

Question 8

Define estimated average requirements (EAR)

Answer 8

The estimated average requirement (mean) of a group for a particular nutrient or for energy

Question 9

Define reference nutrient intake (RNI)

Answer 9

The amount of nutrient (mean + 2SD) which is sufficient for almost all individuals. It exceeds the requirement of most people.

Question 10

Define lower reference nutrient intake (LRNI)

Answer 10

The amount of a nutrient (mean - 2SD) which is sufficient for only a few individuals.