To summarise the applications and appropriate use of Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) as guidance for nutrition and health research professionals in the dietary assessment of groups and individuals.

Key points from the Institute of Medicine report, Dietary Reference Intakes: Applications in Dietary Assessment, are summarised in this paper. The different approaches for using DRIs to evaluate the intakes of groups vs. the intakes of individuals are highlighted.

Each of the new DRIs is defined and its role in the dietary assessment of groups and individuals is described. Two methods of group assessment and a new method for quantitative assessment of individuals are described. Illustrations are provided on appropriate use of the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR), the Adequate Intake (AI) and the Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) in dietary assessment.

Dietary assessment of groups or individuals must be based on estimates of usual (long-term) intake. The EAR is the appropriate DRI to use in assessing groups and individuals. The AI is of limited value in assessing nutrient adequacy, and cannot be used to assess the prevalence of inadequacy. The UL is the appropriate DRI to use in assessing the proportion of a group at risk of adverse health effects. It is inappropriate to use the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) or a group mean intake to assess the nutrient adequacy of groups.