Draft Energy Requirements report 'scientific consultation' - November 2009
The Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) welcomes your comments on its draft report on Energy Requirements.
The draft report is a technical report that considers current UK energy intakes and physical activity levels, existing energy requirement values, new evidence on energy expenditure, and the various methods that may be used to calculate energy requirements. On the basis of their review, SACN has calculated new draft Estimated Average Requirements (EARs) for energy for the UK population for each age group and gender.
The draft report's main conclusions are:
- SACN has determined new draft EAR values, based on an improved understanding of physical activity levels, for children, adolescents and adults. For teenage boys from 15, girls from 11, and for all adults, EAR values are increased by up to 16%. Values have been established for three physical activity levels (average, less and more active), for each age group and gender.
- Revised reference values should not be interpreted to mean that individuals or groups should increase their energy intake. Energy expenditure needs to increase in relation to energy intake from food to reduce the number of overweight and obese people.
- SACN fully endorses current recommendations on physical activity that adults should participate in at least 30 minutes of activity of moderate intensity on five or more days a week, while children and young people should aim for 60 minutes every day.
The key components of EARs for energy are the amount of energy used to maintain metabolism at rest and the amount used in physical activity. EARs may be used for groups in the population, but they are not suitable for use by or for individuals.
Estimating energy requirements is a complex issue and SACN has based its new draft EARs on a number of assumptions. SACN would welcome feedback on the outcome of its review before the report is finalised and published.
The 14-week scientific consultation will run until 11 February 2010. Respondents are asked to comment on the scientific content of the report only and not on the risk management aspects of the conclusions, as these are outside SACN's remit.
In accordance with the principle of openness, SACN will make responses available to the public on request. SACN will also publish a summary of responses, which may include personal data, such as your full name and contact address details. If you do not want this personal information to be released, please indicate this clearly in your response.
Comments can be emailed to sacn@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk or sent to the SACN Secretariat, Room 6B Aviation House, 125 Kingsway, London, WC2B 6NH and should be forwarded no later than 11 February 2010.
A copy of the report can be found at the link above.