EAR cut-point method

A method of assessing the nutrient adequacy of groups. It consists of assessing the proportion of individuals in the group whose usual nutrient intakes are below the EAR.

Error in measurement

Mistake made in the observation or recording of data.

Food balance sheet

See disappearance data.

Former RDA and RNI

Recommended daily dietary intake level of a nutrient sufficient to meet the nutrient requirement of nearly all healthy persons in a particular life stage and gender group. These standards were last issued in the United States in 1989 (RDA, Recommended Dietary Allowance) and in Canada in 1990 (RNI, Recommended Nutrient Intake).

Household

Individuals sharing in the purchase, preparation, and consumption of foods. Usually this will represent individuals living as a family in one home, including adults and children. A household may be the unit of observation rather than the independent individuals within it.

Inadequacy of nutrient intake

Intake of a nutrient that fails to meet the individual's requirement for that nutrient.

Interindividual variability

Variability from person-to-person.

Intraindividual variability

Variability within one person. The term is generally used to refer to day-to-day variation in reported intakes, also called the within-person variation or standard deviation within (SD_within).

Joint distribution

Simultaneous distribution of both requirements (y-axis) and usual intakes (x-axis) for a single nutrient by individuals within a population or group.