Use of the Core Food Model to Estimate Mineral Intakes Part 2. Estimation of Mineral Intakes

The Core Food Model was recently used to provide the Institute of Medicineʹs (IOM) Food and Nutrition Board with data on intakes of selected minerals. The information was requested for review by the Committee charged with establishing dietary reference intakes (DRI) for micronutrients. The current Model uses the Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals (CSFII) 1994–1996 survey files and Food and Drug Administrations (FDA) laboratory analysis of mineral concentrations in the Total Diet Study food collections from the third quarter of 1991 through the first quarter of 1997. Excluding human milk, 5703 uniquely coded food items identified in CSFII 1994–1996 were mapped to 306 Core Foods. Each Core Food has an assigned mineral value derived primarily from FDAʹs laboratory analysis. For Core Foods not analyzed by FDA, substitute values for representative food items were obtained from U.S. Department of Agricultureʹs (USDA) CSFII Code Book or Standard Reference 12, or from published literature depending on the mineral. This creates the Core Food Mineral Table. Linking this table to the CSFII 1994–1996 individual food file (447713 records), mineral intakes are calculated by the HTImap program for 18 age/gender groups with percentile distribution within age group, as well as for the total population. Estimates of calcium intake illustrate a specific application of the Core Food Model.