Using the DRIs in Clinical Practice

Dietary intake is part of a comprehensive nutritional assessment. The Food and Nutrition Board (FNB) of the Institutes of Medicine, The National Academies suggests that clinicians also consider the following when evaluating dietary adequacy:

• the types of foods in the individual's diet and usual food patterns
• lifestyle practices that might influence nutrient needs
• anthropometric parameters that might influence nutrient needs
• clinical conditions that affect nutrient needs (this will be covered in more detail later in this module)

It is important to recognize the limitations of each of the DRIs and to select the reference that is most appropriate.

The following criteria may be used when making assessments:

• if an intake is less than the EAR, it very likely needs to be increased
• if an intake is between the EAR and RDA, it probably needs to be increased
• if an intake is greater than or equal to the RDA for many days, it is probably adequate

More information about the development of the DRIs and pdf versions of panel reports and summary panels can be found on this website:http://fnic.nal.usda.gov/dietary-guidance/dietary-reference-intakes.