Recommended Dietary Allowances

Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) are the levels of intake of essential nutrients that, on the basis of scientific knowledge, are judged by the Food and Nutrition Board to be adequate to meet the known nutrient needs of practically all healthy persons.

The RDA was created during World War II by Lydia J. Roberts, Hazel K. Stiebeling, and Helen S. Mitchell. It was part of a larger movement to improve the nation's diet. The first regulations were set in 1941. The RDA was used to help decide how much of each nutrient the average person should get. Today, the RDA is used by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) for nutrition labeling on food products.

History

The concept of RDA was developed during World War II by Lydia J. Roberts, Hazel K. Stiebeling, and Helen S. Mitchell, all part of a committee established by the United States National Academy of Sciences in order to investigate issues of nutrition that might "affect national defense".

Purpose

The RDA is used to determine the Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) of various nutrients necessary for the maintenance of good health. It is used by health professionals and policy makers to determine the nutritional adequacy of diets.

Calculation

The RDA is calculated based on the nutrient intake believed to meet the needs of 97–98% of healthy individuals in each life-stage and sex group. The calculation is based on the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR), with an added amount to cover variability among individuals.

Criticism

Some critics argue that the RDA amounts do not take into account the varying needs of different individuals and may not be sufficient to support optimal health, particularly in those with certain health conditions.

See also

• Dietary Reference Intake
• Dietary Guidelines for Americans
• Food pyramid (nutrition)

Recommended Dietary Allowances Resources
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