Dietary Reference Values (DRVs)

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

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

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

6. RNI for calcium

7. 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.

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

9. EAR for energy

10. EAR for energy

11. 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.

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

13. 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.

14. Vitamin & mineral intakes: % below LRNI What conclusions can be drawn from this table? Source: National Diet and Nutrition Survey 2003

15. Vitamin & mineral intakes: % below LRNI What conclusions can be drawn from this table? Source: National Diet and Nutrition Survey 2003

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. For more information visit www.foodafactoflife.org.uk