A Monte Carlo simulation to validate the EAR cut-point method for assessing the prevalence of nutrient inadequacy at the population level.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to validate the EAR cut-point method for assessing the prevalence of nutrient inadequacy at the population level.


METHODS
Different methods for estimating the prevalence of inadequate intake were compared: the cut-off point method, with cut-off points at the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA), 0.66 RDA, 0.50 RDA and the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR); the probability approach; and a Monte Carlo simulation. In total, 591 men and 674 women, aged 20-55 years, were included in the analyses.


RESULTS
The prevalence of inadequate intake as estimated by the EAR cut-point method was similar to the prevalence of inadequacy estimated by both probabilistic methods. The cut-point method with RDA, 0.66 RDA and 0.50 RDA as cut-off limits induced an over- or an underestimation of the real prevalence of inadequacy.


CONCLUSIONS
Probabilistic methods consider both the intake variability and the requirement variability, and, as a result, their estimation should be closer to the real prevalence of inadequacy. The use of the EAR cut-point method yields a good estimation of the prevalence of inadequate intake, comparable to the probability approach, and limits over- and underestimation of the prevalence induced by other cut-off points.
INSERM, U258, Villejuif, France. delauzon@vjf.inserm.fr
B
B
de Lauzon
J L
JL
Volatier
A
A
Martin
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods*; D015995:Prevalence; D012015:Reference Standards; D012016:Reference Values; D012307:Risk Factors