Developing new energy intake reference values for the Saudi population

Area of Science:

• Nutritional Science
• Public Health
• Saudi Arabian Demographics

Background:

• Outdated energy intake references for the Saudi population led to overestimations.
• Previous estimates lacked Saudi-specific data, relying on generalized equations.
• A need existed to establish current Average Requirement for Energy Intake (AR-EI) for Saudi individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To update and establish accurate Average Requirement for Energy Intake (AR-EI) values for the Saudi population.
• To address overestimations in energy requirements due to generalized data.
• To provide Saudi-specific benchmarks for nutritional guidance.

Main Methods:

• Employed a factorial approach for adults, integrating Saudi physical activity levels and Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) predictive equations.
• Utilized Total Energy Expenditure (TEE) predictive equations from multi-country doubly labeled water (DLW) studies for infants, children, and adolescents (0-17 years).
• Calculated AR-EI as the average requirement meeting 50% of the population's needs across various age groups and sexes.

Main Results:

• AR-EI for infants ranged from 364-778 kcal/day, varying by age and sex.
• Children and adolescents showed AR-EI values between 912 and 3147 kcal/day.
• Adult AR-EI was estimated at 2207 kcal/day for men and 1708 kcal/day for women, increasing with higher physical activity levels.

Conclusions:

• New Saudi-specific AR-EI values significantly differ from previous generalized estimates, correcting overestimations.
• These findings provide accurate, practical benchmarks for energy intake in Saudi Arabia.
• The updated data will inform evidence-based nutritional guidelines to improve public health and reduce diet-related diseases.