Brussels, 11/01/2013 (Agence Europe) - The average calorie intakes for adults, infants and children, as well as for pregnant and breast-feeding women, in Europe have been established by the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) in a scientific opinion commissioned by the European Commission and published on 10 January. Such dietary reference values are the best possible estimate of the amount of energy that should be provided through calorie intake to allow the different groups of the population to maintain optimal body mass, growth and body development. They will help policy makers to develop nutritional programmes to promote public health, including through nutritional recommendations expressed in terms of food intake.
The average energy requirements corresponding to specific ages and genders have been calculated in relation to the different levels of physical activity of those concerned, and based on a healthy body mass index (BMI) of 22 kg/m. For those with a moderately active lifestyle, the BMIs are as follows: for girls/boys of 6 years of age: 1500-1600 kcal/day; 12 years of age: 2000-2200 kcal/day; 17 years of age: 2300-2900 kcal/day; for men/women of 30-39 years of age: 2000-2600 kcal/day; 50-69 years: 2000-2500 kcal/day; 70-79: 1800-2300 kcal/day.
For pregnant women, an increase in body mass of 12 kg was considered as being an optimal weight increase for a healthy future mother and foetus. The additional energy requirement in pregnancy is estimated at 70 kcal/day during the first three months, 260 kcal during the second three months and 500 kcal daily during the third three months. For women who only breast-feed during the first six months after the birth of their child, the additional energy intake required is estimated at 500 kcal daily.
These average needs take into consideration the levels of physical activity (LPA) corresponding to different life-styles (sedentary, moderately active, very active and extremely active). LPAs are defined by various factors such as the kind of work, the quantity of daily physical exercise and the different daily household tasks undertaken. Average needs must be adjusted according to the different contexts, for example, for people or groups of people whose BMI is above or below 22 kg/m.
This scientific opinion is the latest in a series of opinions adopted by the EFSA panel on dietetic products, nutrition and allergies (NDA). Dietary reference values (DRVs) had previously been published for carbohydrates, fibres, fats, water and protein. The NDA group has also published opinions setting out the general principles that govern the establishment of DRVs and provide advice to decision- and policy-makers as to how to translate nutritional recommendations into messages about foods and diet, guiding consumers on what to eat and helping them to make healthy dietary choices. (AN/transl.jl)