Recommended Nutrient Intakes and Population Nutrient Intake Goals for the Caribbean

ABSTRACT

Recommended dietary allowances (RDAs) for the Caribbean were first published in 1978 and then revised in 1994. Since then, ongoing research relating to the health consequences of nutrient intakes, particularly with regard to diet-related noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), has provided new evidence on the inter-relationships between diet and health. The initiative to revise the existing RDAs began with a review of the most current available information as well as the recent approaches taken by other countries and agencies in updating RDAs. The review was carried out within the context of changes in the regional food and nutrition situation. These changes included a reassessment of food availability patterns, dietary and other lifestyle practices, a growing awareness of the need for nutrition standards and dietary guidelines, and the inclusion of food and nutrition-related policy actions in regional strategies addressing rising rates of obesity and NCDs and the strengthening of food and nutrition security. A review was done of various terminologies relating to nutrient requirements, including recommended dietary allowance (RDA), recommended nutrient intake (RNI), average reference intake (ARI), estimated average requirement (EAR), and upper tolerable limit, and recommendations were then made for RNIs for the Caribbean. This report takes into account expert feedback and updates on energy and nutrient requirements from the Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization (FAO/WHO), Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America. A major focus has been placed on global FAO/WHO recommendations, which are based on extensive review of the available evidence. This publication provides current scientific guidance on the intake of a range of nutrients, as well as the nutrient recommendations for the Caribbean. The publication also includes the population nutrient intake goals (PNIGs) meant to promote healthy dietary consumption patterns that satisfy the nutritional needs of the population while helping to reduce the risk of diet-related NCDs. These serve as a useful adjunct to the RNIs in providing food and nutrition guidance at the population level for macronutrients and food groups in healthy, well-nourished populations.