Which statement below accurately describes a difference between the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs)?

• A. The DGAs are developed by an independent organization, while the DRIs are developed by the federal government.
• B. The DGAs focus on macronutrients and energy intake while the DRIs focus on micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals.
• C. The DRIs provide single targets for all individuals, while the DGAs provide specific information base on individual needs.
• D. The DRIs give specific recommendations for every individual nutrient, while the DGAs focus more on general eating patterns.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the purpose of the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs): DRIs are a set of nutrient reference values developed by experts to provide specific recommendations for individual nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients. They are designed to help individuals meet their nutritional needs and avoid deficiencies or excesses.
2. Understand the purpose of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs): DGAs are developed by the federal government and focus on broader dietary patterns and lifestyle recommendations to promote overall health and prevent chronic diseases. They emphasize general eating habits rather than specific nutrient targets.
3. Compare the focus of DRIs and DGAs: DRIs are nutrient-specific and provide detailed recommendations for individual nutrients, while DGAs focus on general eating patterns, such as consuming more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, and limiting added sugars, saturated fats, and sodium.
4. Clarify the difference in scope: DRIs are tailored to specific nutrient needs for different life stages and genders, providing precise values like Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) or Adequate Intakes (AIs). DGAs, on the other hand, provide broader guidance applicable to the general population, emphasizing healthy eating behaviors.
5. Summarize the key distinction: The DRIs give specific recommendations for every individual nutrient, while the DGAs focus more on general eating patterns and lifestyle choices to promote overall health.