Explain Nutrient needs and Recommended Dietary Allowances?
For infants and preschoolers, satisfactory growth is a sensitive criterion of whether needs are met. 50th percentile of NCHS or growth of infants and children from well- to-do families are acceptable Indian normal s, the level of intake, which ensures these growth profiles, determines their requirements. Let us briefly ascertain some nutrient needs and derive guidelines of how the RDA will be met satisfactorily. The nutritional requirements of infants are largely met by exclusive breast-feeding till 6 months, after which it is imperative to introduce complementary feeding.