Project Overview
Background—The Food and Nutrition Board (FNB) under the aegis of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) developed the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs), published as a series of eight reports (IOM, 1997-2005). The DRIs are quantitative reference values for recommended intakes and safe upper levels of intake of nutrients. The DRI reports implement an approach that (a) reviews nutrients for their role in elimination of nutritional deficiencies and reduction of risk of chronic diseases and (b) uses a risk assessment model to evaluate the extent to which excess consumption may lead to health problems. Knowledge gaps and research needs were also identified and prioritized.

Objective—This project will provide avenues for the synthesis and dissemination of the research recommendations identified in the DRI reports. The DRIs are used in a number of food- and nutrition-related program and policy activities in the United States and Canada. Given the broad use of the DRIs, it is important that knowledge gaps and research needs be clearly articulated so that mechanisms to fill them can be developed. The sponsoring agencies are interested in promoting a clear understanding of knowledge gaps and research needs and have asked the IOM to organize a workshop to develop and discuss important aspects of the research recommendations and to develop a searchable database of the research recommendations.

Workshop—The IOM convened a two-day workshop to engage expert research scientists and nutrition practitioners from government, academia, and industry, and others in discussion on issues related to knowledge gaps and research needs in developing and advancing the DRIs. The workshop provided a venue for hearing and discussing experts’ perspectives on the research recommendations identified in the DRI reports. The workshop was held on June 7-8, 2006, at the Keck Center of the National Academies, 500 Fifth Street NW, Washington, DC.

Workshop Planning Group:
John W. Suttie, Ph.D. (Chair), University of Wisconsin, Madison
John W. Erdman, Jr., Ph.D., University of Illinois—Urbana-Champaign
Suzanne P. Murphy, Ph.D., R.D., University of Hawaii, Honolulu
Robert M. Russell, M.D., Tufts University, Boston, MA
Susan J. Whiting, Ph.D., R.D., University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada

Database—The IOM developed a database to provide ready access to the research recommendations from the DRI reports. The searchable electronic database was developed in consultation with a number of scientific and technical experts. The database was released in final version in September 2006.

Sponsors
This project is supported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion; the Division of Nutrition Research Coordination and the Office of Dietary Supplements, National Institutes of Health); the U.S. Department of Agriculture (Agricultural Research Service); and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism, and Diabetes). Support from Health Canada is anticipated.

For more information, contact Linda Meyers (LMeyers@nas.edu) or (202) 334-1732.