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Revised RDA for Indians

2010(Report of the Expert Group of ICMR)

Dr. B. Sesikeran, MD, FAMS

Director

National Institute of Nutrition (Indian Council Medical Research)

Hyderabad – 500 007

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15th November, 2010 – New Delhi

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• The amount of nutrient

considered adequate to

meet the needs of

practically all healthy

people.

• The RDA are based on

scientific knowledge.

• Prepared by the National

Nutrition Advisory

Committee (ICMR).

• The committee revise the

RDAevery 10 years.

• Current RDA of Indians was

set up in 2010.

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• Provides a guideline for nutrient intake, adequacy,

preventing deficiency or excess of a population.

• Basis: Nutrient intake is assumed to follow Gaussian

distribution, unless it is known to be otherwise

Av : Mean

RDA : Mean + 2SD, 97.5%

In case of energy no safe allowances are made, only

average requirement is made.

Gaussian distribution

Def Av Toxicity

Nutrient Intake

UL

RDA

RDA - Basis

EAR

SUL

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Components required to derive RDA

Reference body weight

Intake: Nutrient intake is assumed to

follow Gaussian distribution, unless it is

known to be otherwise

Bioavailability

Healthy well being

Based on the most recent scientific

evidence review

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Comparison of 95th Centile values of weight, heightby age and gender Rural India (16 States) and

WHO/MGRS median values

MalesAge

(years)

Females

Weight

(kg)

Height

(cm)

Weight

(kg)

Height

(cm)

11.2

(10.9)

82.4

(82.3)1+

10.79

(10.2)

81.6

(80.7)

13.0

(13.3)

90.7

(91.9)2+ 12.6 (12.7)

89.8

(90.7)

14.8

(15.3)

99.1

(99.9)3+ 14.4 (15.0)

98.2

(99.0)

Values in parenthesis -reference body weight considered

for fixing Indian RDAs for 1-3 y.

Reference body weight for deriving RDAs

ICMR RDA (2010)

WHO Mean

95%

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REFERENCE BODY WEIGHT

The definition for reference Indian adult man and

woman were modified with regard to age (20- 39y to

18-29y of age) with a normal BMI and a body weight

of 60kg and 55kg respectively.

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Is for a healthy, well nourished and active population.

Specify energy requirements in terms of energy

output for productive work and leisure activity of

adults and tissue deposition in infants, children and

during pregnancy and milk secretion during

lactation.

Need to specify an appropriate body weight and

quantum of physical activity “desirable”.

Intake above the actual requirement-obesity

Below-under nutrition.

No safe allowances

Definition-Energy

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ENERGY

Requirement = total energy expenditure (TEE) + energy deposition

TEE= - 99.4 + 88.6* kg, FAO/WHO/UNU (2004) DLW method

Energy deposition during growth = weight gain (g/d) x energy deposited

(kcal/d)

RDA: Basis for requirements

Age Body

wt

kg

Wt

gain

kg/y

Energy cost

kcal/d

@2kcal/g wt

gain

TEE

kcal/d

Requirement

kcal/d (/kg/d)

1-2 10.9 2.4 13.15 901 910 (85)

2-3 13.3 2.0 10.96 1106 1120 (85)

1-3 years

* Ref. equitation on Table 48

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ENERGY

A reduction of 4-8 % of energy (100kcal, 145 for moderate

and 310 kcal for heavy work per day) has been

recommended on account of a lower physical activity

level in men. In women the requirement remains similar

on account of a higher reference body weight.

Current estimate of energy requirement for infants is

lower by 11- 20% than the 1988 estimate.

Committee considered the requirement for children at

different physical activity levels at different ages.

13-17 years there is an increase in requirements based

on a higher physical activity level of Indian children ofthat age group.

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BMR of Indians is about 5% lower

compared to the BMR of developed

countries (Shetty et al, 1986)

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PROTEIN

Safe level of protein intake= Maintenance requirements(from N balance

studies) + growth (equation adapted from FAO/WHO 2007)+ 2 SD.

Age Maintenance Growth total Safe level (2SD)Safe level Indian

diet*

1 0.66 0.46 1.12 1.31 1.69

2 0.66 0.29 0.95 1.14 1.47

g protein/kg/day

* Cereal-pulse-milk diet having PDCAAS of 77.4%

PDCAAS= protein digestibility corrected amino acid score=protein digestibility x AAS

RDA: Basis for requirements

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PROTEIN

Given that surveys such as the NFHS and NNMB have

reported pre-pregnancy weight of 47 kg, and GWG of

only 8 kg, it is worth recording that the additional high

quality protein requirement in such a pregnant woman

gaining 8 kg during pregnancy, is 0.4, 5.5 and 18.2

g/day.

It is important that the higher intake of protein

recommended during pregnancy should come from a

normal, varied diet, and not from commercial high-

protein supplements.

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Vit. A

mg/d

Thia

minemg/d

Ribo-

flavinmg/d

Niacin

equivalent

mg/d

Pyri-

doxinemg/d

Ascor-bic

Acidmg/d

Folic

acid mg/d

Vit.B1

2

mg/dReti-

nol

b-caro-

tene

600 4800 1.1 1.3 14 2.0 40 200 1.0

800 6400 +0.2 +0.3 +2 2.5 60 500 1.2

900 7600+0.3 +0.4 +4 2.5

80 300 1.5+0.2 +0.3 +3 2.5

Extra allowances of nutrients

during pregnancy

Group Particulars Net energy

Kcal/d

Protein

g/d

Visible

Fatg/d

Ca

mg/d

Iron

mg/d

Zn

mg/d

Woman

55 Kg

Moderate work 2230 55.0 25 600 21 10

Pregnant +350 +23 30 1200 35 12

Lactation 0-6 m +600 +19 301200 25

6-12 m +520 +13 30

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FAT

Minimum total fat intakes for adults:

15%E to ensure adequate consumption of total energy,

essential fatty acids and fat soluble vitamins for most

individuals.

20% E for women of reproductive age and adults with

BMI <18.5, especially in developing countries in whichdietary fat may be important to achieve adequate energy

intake in malnourished populations.

Maximum

Total fat intakes for adults: 30-35%E for most individuals.

Minimal intakes of visible fat in Indian adults range

between 20-40 g/p/day

To ensure optimal fat quality, the use of correct combination of

vegetable oils is recommended.

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Fiber:

40 g/ 2000 kcal

Minerals:

Minerals like zinc, selenium and iodine has been included as

separate chapters in the new document.

Calcium and Phosphorous:

Current level of calcium consumption is reported to be

providing less than 400 mg Ca/d/Cu. The present

Committee, in view of the evidences, made upward

revision of calcium requirements for adults (600mg/d).

During pregnancy and lactation the requirement is further

enhanced to 1200 mg.

Elemental Ca:P ratio of 1:1 is maintained.

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Recent studies: The mean fractional absorption in iron-

deficient subjects was 17.5% and in normal women 7.3%

These values are greater than absorption values (5%)

used earlier for calculating iron RDA of for adult women.

Considering the fact that iron absorption is inverselyrelated to body iron stores and that Indians have reduced

iron stores compared to their peers in developed

countries, a realistic estimate of iron absorption would be

5% for adult male and 8% for adult female.

These figures are in agreement with the

recommendations of WHO/FAO, lists three bio-availability

levels of 5, 10, and 15%.

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IRON-Basis

International recommendations are 2-3 times lower

than the Indian RDA.

Higher bioavailability of iron attributable to increased

ascorbic acid content and heme iron consumption.

This magnitude of difference in RDA in itself is cause

for concern as physiological requirements for the

different age/sex categories do not vary to this extent

across populations.

This implies that enhancing bioavailability rather than

density or content is of paramount importance for

addressing iron requirement for Indians.

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Magnesium:

Recommended 340 mg of dietary Mg

Zinc:

For adult man and NPNL woman for zinc is set at 12 and 10 mg/dayrespectively recommendations for all physiological groups for zinc has been

added.

Selenium:

40 µg/day

Iodine:

150µg/day is retained

Iron:iron has been reduced significantly among all physiological groups. To

achieve this, the committee recommended that the density of ascorbic acid

should be atleast 20mg/ 1000 kcal.

Absorption earlier 2 - 5%, Now 5 - 8%

Sodium & Potassium:

A safe intake of 2500 mg/day which amounts to 5g/day of salt, desirable

sodium : potassium ratio in the diet was fixed at 1:1 (in mmol).

1 g Nacl contain 39% Na++

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WATER SOLUBLE VITAMINS:

Folate:

• Allowance of folic acid is given in terms of dietary folate

rather than free folic acid.

• Committee retains the 75 ug physiological requirement of

folic acid which can be obtained from 200ug of dietary folate

per day.

Vitamin B12:

The present ICMR Committee retains the earlier recommendation of

1µg/day.

Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C):

Decided to retain the earlier recommendations of RDA for ascorbic

acid for all age groups except for pregnancy where an additional

20mg/day is recommended for meeting extra needs of foetal

growth.

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FAT SOLUBLE VITAMINS:

Vitamin A:

• The present Committee modified the extent of conversion

efficiency of 1:4 to 1:8.

• Upward revision of retinol to 800 µg is recommended during

pregnancy.

• Committee recommends that a minimum of 50% RE be drawn

from animal sources.

Vitamin D:

• Committee retains the earlier recommendations on vitamin D

considering outdoor physical activity as a means of achieving

adequate vitamin D status,

• Under situations of minimal exposure to sunlight, a specific

recommendation of a daily supplement of 400 IU (10 µg) is retained.

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FAT SOLUBLE VITAMINS:

Vitamin E:

• Requirement of alpha tocopherol suggested is 0.8 mg/ g of

dietary essential fatty acids. This roughly works out to

8-10 mg tocopherol /d, depending on the edible oil used.

• 55 μg of vitamin K /d for adults

Antioxidants:

Recommended 400g/day of fruits and vegetables to.

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GROUP CATEGORYBody Weight (Kg) Energy (Kcal/Day) Proteins (g/day)

Revised Old Revised Old Revised Old

MAN

Sedentary

60 60

2320 2425

60 60Moderate 2730 2875

Heavy 3490 3800

WOMAN

Sedentary

55 50

1900 1875

55 50Moderate 2230 2225

Heavy 2850 2925

Pregnant +350 +300 78 65

Lact. <6 mths +600 +550 74 75

Lact. 6-12 mths +520 +400 68 68

INFANTS0 – 6 mths 5.4 - 92/kg 108/kg 1.16/kg 2.05/kg

6 – 12 mths 8.4 8.6 80/kg 98/kg 1.69/kg 1.65/kg

CHILDREN

1 - 3 yrs 12.9 12.2 1060 1240 16.7 22

4 - 6 yrs 18.0 19.0 1350 1690 20.1 30

7 - 9 yrs 25.1 26.9 1690 1950 29.5 41

BOYS 10 - 12 yrs 34.3 35.4 2190 2190 39.9 54

GIRLS 10 - 12 yrs 35.0 31.5 2010 1970 40.4 57

BOYS 13 - 15 yrs 47.6 47.8 2750 2450 54.3 70

GIRLS 13 - 15 yrs 46.6 46.7 2330 2060 51.9 65

BOYS 16 - 17 yrs 55.4 57.1 3020 2640 61.5 78

GIRLS 16 - 17 yrs 52.1 49.9 2440 2060 55.5 63

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GROUP CATEGORYVisible Fat (g/day) Calcium (mgl/Day) Iron (mg/day)

Revised Old Revised Old Revised Old

MAN

Sedentary 25

20 600 400 17 28Moderate 30

Heavy 40

WOMAN

Sedentary 20

20 600 400 21 30Moderate 25

Heavy 30

Pregnant 30 30 1200 1000 35 38

Lact. <6 mths 3045 1200 1000 21 30

Lact. 6-12 mths 30

INFANTS0 – 6 mths - -

500 50046 µg/kg -

6 – 12 mths 19 - 5 -

CHILDREN

1 - 3 yrs 27

25 600 400

9 12

4 - 6 yrs 25 13 18

7 - 9 yrs 30 16 26

BOYS 10 - 12 yrs 3522 800 600

21 34

GIRLS 10 - 12 yrs 35 27 19

BOYS 13 - 15 yrs 4522 800 600

32 41

GIRLS 13 - 15 yrs 40 27 28

BOYS 16 - 17 yrs 5022 800 500

28 50

GIRLS 16 - 17 yrs 35 26 30

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GROUP CATEGORYRetinol (µg/day) Β Carotene (µg/day) Thiamin (mg/day)

Revised Old Revised Old Revised Old

MAN

Sedentary

600 600 4800 2400

1.2 1.2

Moderate 1.4 1.4

Heavy 1.7 1.6

WOMAN

Sedentary

600 600 4800 2400

1.0 0.9

Moderate 1.1 1.1

Heavy 1.4 1.2

Pregnant 800 600 6400 2400 +0.2 +0.2

Lact. <6 mths950 950 7600 3800

+0.3 +0.3

Lact. 6-12 mths +0.2 +0.2

INFANTS0 – 6 mths

350 350- - 0.2 55 µg/kg

6 – 12 mths 2800 1200 0.3 50 µg/kg

CHILDREN

1 - 3 yrs400 400 3200 1600

0.5 0.6

4 - 6 yrs 0.7 0.9

7 - 9 yrs 600 600 4800 2400 0.8 1.0

BOYS 10 - 12 yrs

600 600 4800 2400

1.1 1.1

GIRLS 10 - 12 yrs 1.0 1.0

BOYS 13 - 15 yrs 1.4 1.2

GIRLS 13 - 15 yrs 1.2 1.0

BOYS 16 - 17 yrs 1.5 1.3

GIRLS 16 - 17 yrs 1.0 1.0

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GROUP CATEGORYRiboflavin (mg/day) Niacin Eq. (mg/day) Vit. B6 (mg/day)

Revised Old Revised Old Revised Old

MAN

Sedentary 1.4 1.4 16 16

2.0 2.0Moderate 1.6 1.6 18 18

Heavy 2.1 1.9 21 21

WOMAN

Sedentary 1.1 1.1 12 12

2.0 2.0Moderate 1.3 1.3 14 14

Heavy 1.7 1.5 16 16

Pregnant +0.3 +0.2 +2 +2

2.5 2.5Lact. <6 mths +0.4 +0.3 +4 +4

Lact. 6-12 mths +0.3 +0.2 +3 +3

INFANTS0 – 6 mths 0.3 65 µg/kg 710 µg/kg 710 µg/kg 0.1 0.1

6 – 12 mths 0.4 60 µg/kg 650 µg/kg 650 µg/kg 0.4 0.4

CHILDREN

1 - 3 yrs 0.6 0.7 8 80.9 0.9

4 - 6 yrs 0.8 1.0 11 11

7 - 9 yrs 1.0 1.2 13 13 1.6 1.6

BOYS 10 - 12 yrs 1.3 1.3 15 151.6 1.6

GIRLS 10 - 12 yrs 1.2 1.2 13 13

BOYS 13 - 15 yrs 1.6 1.5 16 16

2.0 2.0GIRLS 13 - 15 yrs 1.4 1.2 14 14

BOYS 16 - 17 yrs 1.8 1.6 17 17

GIRLS 16 - 17 yrs 1.2 1.2 14 14

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GROUP CategoryVit C (mg/day) Dietary Folate

(µg/day) Vit. B12 (µg/Day)

Revised Old Revised Old (FF) Revised Old

MAN

Sedentary

40 40 200 100 1 1Moderate

Heavy

WOMAN

Sedentary

40 40 200 100 1 1Moderate

Heavy

Pregnant 60 40 500 400 1.2 1

Lact. <6 mths80 80 300 150 1.5 1.5

Lact. 6-12 mths

INFANTS0 – 6 mths

25 25 25 25 0.2 0.26 – 12 mths

CHILDREN

1 - 3 yrs

40 40

80 30

0.2 – 1.0 0.2 – 1.04 - 6 yrs 100 40

7 - 9 yrs 120 60

BOYS 10 - 12 yrs40 40 140 70 0.2 – 1.0 0.2 – 1.0

GIRLS 10 - 12 yrs

BOYS 13 - 15 yrs40 40 150 100 0.2 – 1.0 0.2 – 1.0

GIRLS 13 - 15 yrs

BOYS 16 - 17 yrs40 40 200 100 0.2 – 1.0 0.2 – 1.0

GIRLS 16 - 17 yrs

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GROUP CATEGORY Zinc (mg/Day) Magnesium (mg/Day)

MAN

Sedentary

12 340Moderate

Heavy

WOMAN

Sedentary

10 310Moderate

Heavy

Pregnant

12 310Lact. <6 mths

Lact. 6-12 mths

INFANTS0 – 6 mths - 30

6 – 12 mths - 45

CHILDREN

1 - 3 yrs 5 50

4 - 6 yrs 7 70

7 - 9 yrs 8 100

BOYS 10 - 12 yrs 9 120

GIRLS 10 - 12 yrs 9 160

BOYS 13 - 15 yrs 11 165

GIRLS 13 - 15 yrs 11 210

BOYS 16 - 17 yrs 12 195

GIRLS 16 - 17 yrs 12 235

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