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.

Food and nutrient intake of a national sample of 4-year-old children in 1950: comparison with the 1990s.

Abstract: Objective: To evaluate the food and nutrient intake of members of a birth cohort study when young children in 1950 and investigate differences from present-day children's diets. Design: One-day recall diet records from the MRC National Survey of Health and Development (NSHD) (1946 Birth Cohort) at age 4 years were analysed for energy and selected nutrients and compared to the published results for 4-year-olds in the 1992/93 National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS). Setting: England, Scotland and Wales in 1950 and 1992/93. Subjects: 4599 children in 1950 and 493 children in 1992/93. Results: Mean (SD) daily intakes in 1950 were energy 1445 (343) kcal, or 6.1 (1.4) MJ, protein 46 (11)g, fat 64 (20)g, starch 117 (33)g, sugar 62 (24)g, unavailable carbohydrate 13 (4)g, calcium 736 (230)mg, iron 7.7 (2.1)mg, retinol 738 (1273) μg, carotene 1049 (1130) μg and vitamin C 40 (26) mg. Compared to 1992/93, the 1950 diet contained substantially more bread and vegetables and less sugar and soft drinks, giving it a higher starch and fibre content and making it more in line with current recommendations on healthy eating. However, fat provided 40% of energy in 1950, compared to 35% in 1992/93. In 1950, red meat was an important source of iron, but by 1992 most iron came from fortified breakfast cereals. Vitamin C came mainly from vegetables in 1950, but from soft drinks in 1992. Conclusions: The relative austerity of post-war food supplies resulted in food and nutrient intakes in 1950 which in many respects may well have been beneficial to the health of young children, despite fat intake being higher than present-day recommendations.

Dairy food intake of Australian children and adolescents 2-16 years of age: 2007 Australian National Children's Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE Dairy food consumption is important for Australian children as it contributes key nutrients such as protein and Ca. The aim of the present paper is to describe dietary intake from dairy foods for Australian children aged 2-16 years in 2007. DESIGN Secondary analysis of a quota-sampled survey using population-weighted, 1 d (24 h) dietary recall data. SETTING Australian national survey conducted from February to August 2007. SUBJECTS Children (n 4487) aged 2-16 years. RESULTS Most Australian children consumed dairy foods (84-98 %), with the proportion consuming tending to decrease with age and males consuming significantly more than females from the age of 4 years. Milk was the most commonly consumed dairy food (58-88 %) and consumed in the greatest amount (243-384 g/d). Most children consumed regular-fat dairy products. The contribution of dairy foods to total energy intake decreased with age; from 22 % of total energy at age 2-3 years to 11 % at age 14-16 years. This trend was similar for all nutrients analysed. Dairy food intake peaked between 06.00 and 10.00 hours (typical breakfast hours) corresponding with the peak in dairy Ca intake. Australian children (older than 4 years) did not reach recommendations for dairy food intake, consuming ≤2 servings/d. CONCLUSIONS The under-consumption of dairy foods by Australian children has important implications for intake of key nutrients and should be addressed by multiple strategies.

Lack of Relationship between Calcium Intake and Body Size in an Obesity-Prone Population

Abstract: Objective Dietary calcium intake, especially from dairy products, may have a protective effect against obesity. This study aimed to determine if calcium intake is associated with body weight and adiposity in Pima Indians, an obesity-prone population. Research Methods and Procedures Subjects were 65 Pima Indian adults (35 men/30 women, age 33±8 years [mean±standard deviation]) participating in a study of eating behavior and 78 Pima Indian children (36 boys/42 girls, age 10.4±0.3 years) participating in a study of childhood obesity. Height and weight were measured, and body composition was determined by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Food intake in adults was assessed using the Block 1998 Food Questionnaire; food intake in children was assessed using a 24-hour recall with parental assistance. Results In adults, mean energy intake was 3,163±1,037 kcal/day, mean percentage of energy from fat was 41%±7%, and calcium intake was 914±333 mg/day. In children, mean energy intake was 1,988±733 kcal/day, mean percentage of energy from fat was 36%±9%, and calcium intake was 637±352 mg/day, half the recommended daily intake for this age group. There were no significant associations between calcium intake and body weight ( r =0.05, P =.71; r =0.04, P =.73), body fat ( r =0.16, P =.19; r =0.12, P =.42), or body mass index ( r =0.01, P =.97; r =0.04, P =.77) in either adults or children, respectively. Discussion One explanation for the lack of association between reported calcium intake and body size in Pima Indians may be that the high-fat, high-energy diet consumed by the population overwhelmed the "anti-obesigenic" effect of calcium. Conclusions We were unable to find an association between calcium intake and body size or adiposity in Pima Indian adults and children. Although the essentiality of calcium to bone health is well established, the role of calcium and dairy product intake in obesity and weight management remains uncertain.

Are Recommended Daily Allowances for Vitamin C Adequate

Abstract: The Recommended Dietary Allowance of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) for adults has now been set at 45 mg day-1 by the U.S. Food and Nutrition Board. This intake suffices to prevent scurvy in most people. It is, however, much less than the optimum intake, the intake that leads to the best of health. A larger intake decreases the incidence and severity of the common cold and other diseases. Ascorbic acid has antiviral and antibacterial activity and is required for phagocytic activity of leukocytes. Several arguments indicate that for different human beings the optimum intake lies between 250 mg day-1 and a much higher value, 5000 mg day-1 or more. It is proposed that the present Recommended Dietary Allowance of 45 mg day-1 of vitamin C for adults be renamed the Minimum Dietary Allowance, defined as the amount needed to prevent scurvy, and that, after consideration of the evidence about intake and the best of health, there be formulated another category of values, the Recommended Daily Intake, with the suggested range of 250 mg day-1 to 4000 mg day-1 of ascorbic acid for an adult.