title: Accuracy of Dietary Reference Intakes for determining energy requirements in girls.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The most recent Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) (2002) for energy were based on pooled data from convenience samples of individuals with energy expenditure determined by using doubly labeled water (DLW). To our knowledge, the accuracy of these intake estimates has not been assessed in children.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We assessed the accuracy of DRI prediction equations for determining daily energy needs in girls by comparing the individual-level prediction of estimated energy requirements with the measured value of total energy expenditure (TEE) from DLW, which is considered the gold standard.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this cross-sectional analysis, we measured the resting metabolic rate (RMR) by using indirect calorimetry and TEE by using DLW in 161 nonobese premenarcheal girls aged 8-12 y. The activity factor TEE/RMR was used to categorize the physical activity level used in DRI equations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We observed a strong linear relation between TEE by using DLW and estimated energy requirements predicted from DRI equations (Pearson's r = 0.78, P < 0.0001, R(2) = 0. 61). The DRI-predicted energy requirements underestimated measured TEE by ~120 kcal on average. The overall mean (±SD) error in the sample was -121.3 ± 163.9 kcal. The average (±SD) percentage error in the sample was -5.8 ± 7.9%. Seventy percent of participants had predicted TEE values ≤10% of measured TEE.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  DRI equations for girls predict well for the group. The use of these equations for individuals may result in the underestimation of energy requirements for a significant percentage of girls.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA. lbandini@bu.edu
authors.forename: Linda G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Bandini
authors.forename: Keith
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lividini
authors.forename: Sarah M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: Aviva
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Must
mesh_terms: D001481:Basal Metabolism; D002153:Calorimetry, Indirect; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet / Q000592:standards*; D002149:Energy Intake; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008572:Menarche; D009043:Motor Activity; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D012015:Reference Standards; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012737:Sex Factors