Reference Daily Intake

About: Reference Daily Intake is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 1564 publications have been published within this topic receiving 52794 citations.

Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Is Lower and Saturated Fat Intake Is Higher among Canadians Reporting Smoking

Abstract: Understanding differences in dietary patterns by smoking status is important for nutritionists and health educators involved in helping individuals to make healthy dietary and lifestyle choices. Although smokers have a poor quality diet compared with nonsmokers, no study has examined nutritional adequacy and variability in the nutrient intake of smokers. The aim of this study was to compare dietary habits of smokers with nonsmokers in terms of nutrient intake, food groups contributing to nutrient intake, nutritional adequacy and day-to-day variation in nutrient intake. Noninstitutionalized adults aged 18--65 y (n = 1543) who participated in the Food Habits of Canadians Survey (1997--1998) were studied. Subjects, selected from across Canada using a multistage, random-sampling strategy, completed an in-home 24-h dietary recall. Repeat interviews were conducted in a subsample to estimate variability in nutrient intake. Smokers had higher intakes of total and saturated fat, and lower intakes of folate, vitamin C and fiber than nonsmokers. There were no significant differences in calcium, zinc and vitamin A intakes or day-to-day variation in nutrient intake by smoking status. Smokers consumed significantly fewer fruits and vegetables than nonsmokers, leading to lower intakes of folate and vitamin C. In conclusion, smokers have a less healthy diet than nonsmokers, placing them at higher risk for chronic disease as a result of both dietary and smoking habits. Diet may act as a confounder in smoking-disease relationships.

Intake of α-tocopherol is limited among US adults

Abstract: Objective To examine α-tocopherol intake and food sources of α-tocopherol in the US population relative to current Dietary Reference Intakes for vitamin E. Design We analyzed food source and intake data from the 1994 to 1996 Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals (CSFII) with added values for α-tocopherol from the US Department of Agriculture National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference Release 15. Subjects Data from 5,056 men and 4,703 women aged 20 years and older were obtained from the 1994 to 1996 CSFII. Statistical analyses performed The complex design and sampling weights of the CSFII survey were taken into account to calculate the mean α-tocopherol intake from diet, the SEM, and the percent of the Estimated Average Requirements (EARs) for α-tocopherol intake by age group and region. Results Only 8.0% of men and 2.4% of women in the United States met the new EARs for vitamin E intake from foods alone. Regionally, only 5.8% of men and 2.1% of women in the South met these EARs, relative to 9.0% and 2.6%, respectively, in the Northeast. Top contributors of α-tocopherol for men and women included ready-to-eat cereal, sweet baked products, white bread, beef, oils, and salad dressing. Applications/conclusions The majority of men and women in the United States fail to meet the current recommendations for vitamin E intake. Many of the top contributors are not particularly high sources of α-tocopherol but are consumed frequently. Greater inclusion of sources such as nuts, seeds, and vitamin E-rich oils, could improve intake of α-tocopherol.

Proposed Nutrient Composition for Fortified Complementary Foods

Abstract: A proposed nutrient composition for fortified processed complementary foods (FPCF) is developed based on the other papers in this publication, which consider a number of factors such as age range, daily ration size, recommended nutrient requirements, contribution of human milk to these requirements, macronutrient interactions, compound bioavailability, methods of production and overage. The proposed fortification levels are based on a daily ration size of 40 g for infants aged 6-12 mo and 60 g for children aged 12-23 mo. A desired protein-energy ratio of 6-10% is used to estimate energy from protein. The desired percentage of energy from lipid is estimated at 24% for infants aged 6-11 mo and 28% for children aged 12-23 mo, with the remaining energy to be supplied from carbohydrate. An FPCF should provide a quantity of iron sufficient to meet the Recommended Dietary Allowance in the form of dried ferrous sulfate of small particle size. Ascorbic acid, 70-140 mg for infants aged 6-11 mo and 50-100 mg for children aged 12-23 mo, will enhance iron absorption. Because of the lower bioavailability of zinc in cereal-based diets in developing countries, 4-5 mg of zinc in the form of zinc oxide is recommended. Proposed fortification levels are also provided for copper, calcium, vitamin D, magnesium, phosphorus, vitamin A, the B vitamins and iodine. To prevent micronutrient losses, it is recommended that the FPCF be precooked. The knowledge base to develop an FPCF is quite limited, and much additional research is needed before an optimal formulation can be recommended.

Household Participation in the Food Stamp and WIC Programs Increases the Nutrient Intakes of Preschool Children

Abstract: We examined the effects of household participation in the Food Stamp and WIC Nutrition Programs on the nutrient intakes of preschoolers using data from the 1989-1991 Continuing Survey of Food Intake by Individuals. Nonbreastfeeding children, 1-4 y of age, with 3 d of dietary data and whose households had incomes < 130% of the poverty level were included in the study sample (n = 499). Nutrient adequacy ratios for each of 15 nutrients were the dependent variables in multiple regression models that controlled for the following: age, sex and ethnicity of the individual; income, size and location of the household; schooling of the household head; home ownership; school lunch and breakfast participation; and season in which the interview was conducted. WIC benefits positively influenced (P < 0. 05) the intakes of 10 nutrients. For iron and zinc, the average increase due to WIC represented 16.6 and 10.6%, respectively, of the preschooler recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for these nutrients. The same analyses of the Food Stamp Program revealed increases in five nutrients. For iron and zinc, the average increase due to Food Stamps represented 12.3 and 9.2%, respectively, of the preschooler RDA. The effects of the WIC Program on the intakes of iron and zinc were greater than that of cash income, and neither program affected the intakes of fat, saturated fat or cholesterol.