Dietary Reference Values

Question 1

What does DRV stand for?

Answer 1

Dietary Reference Value

Question 2

What are the purpose of DRVs?

Answer 2

To act as a benchmark

To reflect the nutritional needs of a population

Question 3

What is the name used to describe the distribution of DRVs?

Answer 3

Gaussian Distribution

Question 4

What does Gaussian distribution mean?

Answer 4

It is another term for normal distribution, it follows a bell-shaped curve and assumes that any measurement taken from that curve will be normally distributed.

Question 5

What is the ‘safety margin’ set for DRVs?

Answer 5

The mean value +/- 2.5

Question 6

Which members of the population do DRVs solely apply to?

Answer 6

Healthy people

Question 7

What does EAR stand for?

Answer 7

Estimated Average Requirement

Question 8

What is the estimated average requirement?

Answer 8

It is the value that refers to and meets the needs of 50% of the population

Question 9

What does LRNI stand for?

Answer 9

Lower Reference Nutrient Intake

Question 10

What is the lower reference nutrient intake?

Answer 10

The LRNI is the amount of a nutrient that is enough for only a small number of people in a group who have low requirements (2.5%) i.e. the majority need more.

It is 2SD below the EAR

Question 11

What does RNI stand for?

Answer 11

Reference Nutrient Intake

Question 12

What is the reference nutrient intake?

Answer 12

The RNI is the amount of a nutrient that is enough to ensure that the needs of nearly all a group (97.5%) are being met.

It is 2SD above the EAR

Question 13

What is the fourth ‘guideline’ that follows EAR, LRNI, RNI?

Answer 13

Safe and Adequate

Question 14

What is the Safe and Adequate guideline for?

Answer 14

For nutrients with insufficient evidence to form an EAR, it is to ensure that the levels recommended for consumption are safe

Example: Vitamin K

Question 15

Observational studies
Balance studies
Clinical Function Tests
Estimates

What are the above all examples of?

Answer 15

The methods by which DRVs are produced

Question 16

What are the aims of DRVs?

Answer 16

To prevent deficiency
To optimise body stores
To produce safe upper limits

Question 17

For which of the nutrients do DRVs exist?

Answer 17

Energy

Protein

Question 18

What are the limitations of DRVs?

Answer 18

They are derived from experimental data and therefore cannot be generalised
There may be errors in the data due to the use of self-report techniques
There is limited data on certain groups, such as the elderly
The safe margin varies