Normal and Therapeutic Nutrition

Normal and Therapeutic Nutrition 3(2+1)

Lesson 7:Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA)

Introduction

The first attempt to recommended dietary allowances of energy, protein, iron, calcium, vitamin A, thiamine, ascorbic acid and vitamin D for Indians was made by the Nutrition Advisory Committee of the League of Nations in 1937. Table shows the history of RDA:

1944	Nutrition Advisory Committee of Indian Research Food Association	Desirable dietary intake of energy, protein, calcium, iron, vitamin- A and D, thiamine.
1958	NAC of ICMR	Revised recommendation of energy and protein
1968	Nutrition Expert Groups of ICMR RDA of FAO/WHO Data on nutrient requirements of Indians	Revised nutrient allowances of all nutrients except energy for Indians. Also suggested desirable levels of folic acid, vitamin B12, vitamin D and fat
1978	Expert group of ICMR	Data on nutrient requirement was again revised and updated in respect of several nutrients.
April 1988	Nutrition Expert Committee constituted by ICMR, background papers of the committee members and other resource persons	Important features: Revised body weight standards for Indians Complete revision of energy requirements Quantum of fat intake Provisional recommendation on trace elements.
2008	Expert Committee of NIN ( ICMR)	Started reviewing RDA’s in 5 years and evolved at revised RDA.