Recommended dietary allowance

Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) is the average daily dietary intake level that is sufficient to meet the nutrient requirements of nearly all (approximately 98 percent) healthy individuals in a group. It is established by the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academy of Sciences, and periodically updated. The current set of dietary guidelines was introduced in 1943 during World War II by Lydia J. Roberts, Hazel K. Stiebeling, and Helen S. Mitchell.

History[edit | edit source]

The concept of RDA was first introduced during World War II by Lydia_J._Roberts, Hazel_K._Stiebeling, and Helen_S._Mitchell. The trio was part of the National Academy of Sciences and their goal was to establish nutritional standards for the military, civilians, and overseas war victims.

Purpose[edit | edit source]

The main purpose of RDA is to provide a guideline for the intake of nutrients that are essential for good health. These guidelines are used by health professionals and policy makers to help individuals understand and meet their nutritional needs.

Calculation[edit | edit source]

The RDA is calculated based on the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR). If the distribution of requirements is symmetrical, then the RDA is defined as the EAR plus two standard deviations of the EAR.

Criticism[edit | edit source]

Despite its widespread use, the RDA has been criticized for not considering the varying nutritional needs of different individuals and for being based on outdated research.

See also[edit | edit source]

Recommended dietary allowance Resources
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