Assignment 3b NUTR30002
Name Student ID: XXXX 1
Assessing the nutritional adequacy of a patient’s diet against
Australian Nutrient Reference Values
NUTR30002
Assignment 3b: Written report
XXXXX (name)
Student ID: XXXXX
Word count: 659
Assignment 3b NUTR30002
Name Student ID: XXXX 2
Introduction
Dietary analysis is important in assessing whether a person is meeting their daily energy and
nutrient requirements for growth and health. This report will analyse the nutritional
adequacy of Jane, a 19-year-old female. Jane is 176cm tall, weighs 64kg and has a light level
of physical activity (PAL 1.6).
Method
All nutrient reference values were sourced from the Nutrient Reference Values for Australia
& New Zealand by the National Health and Medical Research Council et al. (2017).
Recommended Dietary Intakes (RDIs) for females aged 19-30yr were the preferred
reference value. RDIs represent a nutrient intake that will meet the requirements of 97-98%
of healthy individuals in that age and gender group (National Health and Medical Research
Council [NHMRC], 2017). Thus, intakes at or above the RDI have a high probability of being
adequate for Jane’s needs. The Estimated Energy Requirement (EER) table was used to
approximate Jane’s EER. The EER for 19-30yr females 1.7m tall, weighing 63.6kg, with a PAL
of 1.6 was selected as this was closest to Jane’s biometric measurements. An adequate
intake (AI) value was used for fibre as there is insufficient evidence for an RDI. Estimated
Average Requirements (EARs) which indicate the intake required to meet the needs of 50%
of healthy individuals were used to determine the degree of inadequacy of specific
nutrients.
Results
Table 1 shows Jane’s average daily intake of various nutrients against the NRVs. The table
also indicates whether Jane’s intake is adequate for each nutrient.
Assignment 3b NUTR30002
Name Student ID: XXXX 3
Table 1: A comparison of Jane’s average daily intake of energy, fibre, protein and various
micronutrients against the NRVs. The NRV column represents RDI values, unless otherwise
specified. The data for all NRVs were sourced from the National Health and Medical
Research Council et al. (2017).
Nutrient NRV Jane’s Intake Intake adequacy
Energy 9.6 MJ * 8.0 MJ Inadequate
Fibre 25g ** 17.7g Inadequate
Protein 46 g 89.2g Adequate
Vitamin C 45mg 124.4mg Adequate
Riboflavin 1.1mg 1.6mg Adequate
Calcium 1,000mg 815mg Inadequate (less than 840mg EAR)
Iron 18mg 16.8mg Inconclusive (above 8mg EAR)
Zinc 8mg 14.8mg Adequate
Iodine 150µg 175µg Adequate
*Represents EER value. **Represents AI value.
Discussion
Jane’s intake of protein, vitamin C, riboflavin, zinc and iodine meet or exceed the RDIs. Her
intake of calcium and iron failed to meet the RDIs. Additionally, her energy intake is lower
than her EER and fibre intake did not meet the AI value (table 1).
Jane consumed an average of 815mg of calcium which is substantially lower than the RDI
(1,000mg) and is also below the EAR (840mg). Thus, there is a low probability that her
calcium intake is adequate and this may cause bone density loss, leading to osteoporosis
and increased risk of fractures later in life (World Health Organisation [WHO], 2005).
Jane’s iron intake was 16.8mg, below the RDI (18mg), but above the EAR (8mg).
Consequently, the probability that her iron intake is adequate is greater than 50%, however,
her serum ferritin levels should be tested to confirm if her intake is sufficient to prevent iron
deficiency (WHO, 2005). Iron deficiency can cause anaemia, reduce physical endurance and
cognitive performance, and increase susceptibility to infections (Cappellini et al., 2020).
Jane consumes an average of 17.7g/day of fibre which is below the AI of 25g. Adequate fibre
intake is linked with decreased risk of chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease,
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colon cancer and type 2 diabetes, thus Jane may be at a higher risk for these diseases
(NHMRC, 2017).
Jane’s EER (9.6MJ/day) is substantially higher than her actual intake (8.0MJ/day). This
negative energy balance will cause weight loss. A negative energy balance may be beneficial
for patients who are overweight and attempting to lose weight (NHMRC, 2017). Jane,
however, has a BMI of 20.7 which is within the healthy weight range. She should aim to
increase her energy intake to around 9.6MJ/day to maintain her current weight as being
underweight could cause decreased muscle mass, fatigue, fertility issues and increased
mortality (Uzogara, 2016).
Finally, despite Jane’s intake of protein and vitamin C greatly exceeding the RDIs, this is
unlikely to present a health risk as there is no upper limit (UL) set for either nutrient
(NHMRC, 2017).
Conclusion
While Jane’s intake of protein, vitamin C, riboflavin, zinc and iodine are adequate, her
overall diet fails to meet her requirements for all nutrients. Jane should increase her energy,
fibre, calcium, and possibly iron intake to improve her diet adequacy. Fibre rich fruits and
vegetables, calcium and iron fortified wholegrain cereals and full-fat dairy products would
be good options to help increase her dietary intake of these nutrients, without substantially
increasing her already adequate protein intake.
Assignment 3b NUTR30002
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References
Cappellini, M. D., Musallam, K. M., & Taher, A. T. (2020). Iron deficiency anaemia revisited.
Journal of Internal Medicine, 287(2), 153-170.
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1111/joim.13004
National Health and Medical Research Council, Australian Government Department of
Health and Ageing, & New Zealand Ministry of Health. (2017). Nutrient Reference
Values for Australia and New Zealand Version 1.2. National Health and Medical
Research Council.
Uzogara, S. (2016). Underweight, the Less Discussed Type of Unhealthy Weight and Its
Implications: A Review. American Journal of Food Science and Nutrition Research, 3,
126-142.
World Health Organisation. (2005). Vitamin and mineral requirements in human nutrition
(2nd ed.). World Health Organisation. https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/42716