The Food Processor integrates the EAR, another aspect of the DRI standards, into its reporting. The Diet Assessment Report uses a simplified method that is described in the DRI documentation* to allow users to assess diet risk using the EAR standard, as well as the RDA/AI standards that are used in other reports. Where the RDA/AI standards can assess whether a nutrient intake is adequate, adding the EAR standard allows the classification of nutrient intakes into three categories; likely to be adequate, needs improvement, and probably needs improvement. The added levels of categorization can help approximate the level of risk of nutritional deficiency and thus help shape the eventual treatment plan for individuals.

As DRIs, the EAR, RDA, and AI standards were designed to work together. The EAR standard only meets the needs of about 50% of the population, so nutrient intakes that are below the EAR will need improvement. The RDA standard meets the needs of about 98% of the population, so nutrient intakes that meet the RDA will likely be adequate. Nutrient intakes that are between the EAR and the RDA probably need improvement. The AI standard is treated like the RDA in that, nutrient intakes that meet the AI will likely be adequate, however there is not enough research to determine an EAR, so the designations of needing improvement cannot be made. In the Diet Assessment Report, the RDA/AI standard is set at 100%, and the EAR is shown as percentage of R

For nutrients that have EAR and RDA standards:

RDA and above = likely adequate
Between the EAR and the RDA = probably needs improvement
Below the EAR = needs improvement

For cholesterol, fat, mono fat, poly fat, saturated fat, and sodium:

RDA and below = likely adequate
Above the RDA = needs improvement

For nutrients that have AI standards:

AI and above = likely adequate
Below the AI = no assessment

Note: No assessment is possible for nutrient levels that are below an AI standard, or for Calories, or carbohydrate, since the goal for these nutrients could either be above or below their calculated standards. Not all nutrients that are offered in the software have a DRI standard.

As emphasized in the DRI documentation, the more days of intake that are included in the analysis, the more informative the risk assessment will be. A precise risk percentage cannot be determined from this simplified reporting. The risk assessment should be used with other parameters of patient care in determining a treatment plan.

* Dietary Reference Intakes: Applications in Dietary Assessment, Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine, p. 57, 2000

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