Why are all adults aged 51years and older grouped together?
The Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs), the nutrient reference values used to develop the Food Guide, were used to establish amounts and types of foods recommended in Canada’s Food Guide. For adults over 50, the DRIs list nutrient requirements for two age groups: 51 – 70 years and 71+ years. The nutrient requirements and energy needs for these two age categories are very similar. Results from consultation as well as testing with consumers in focus groups suggested that having too many age and sex breakdowns was not desirable. Those age groups for which the number of Food Guide Servings recommended were similar were therefore grouped together. This led to the development of a pattern with the same recommended number of Food Guide Servings for these two age groups.
