What is the recommended protein intake for an Adult Indian?

MP CHO-2020

Applied Nutrition & Dietetics

Easy

Appeared in: MP CHO-2020

Explanation

The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for protein for a healthy Indian adult is approximately 1 gram per kilogram of body weight, which is a common and practical guideline.
The most recent Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) 2020 guidelines specify 0.83 g/kg body weight. This amounts to 54 g/day for a reference 65 kg man and 46 g/day for a 55 kg woman.
Among the given choices, 1 g/kg is the closest and most accepted value taught in nursing and nutrition curricula.
This level of intake is sufficient to maintain nitrogen balance, support the repair and maintenance of body tissues, and facilitate essential metabolic functions.

Option B: An intake of 2 g/kg of body weight is significantly higher than the recommendation for the general adult population.
Option C: An intake of 3 g/kg is considered a very high protein diet and is not recommended for the average adult due to the potential strain on renal and hepatic functions.
Option D: An intake of 4 g/kg is an extremely high and potentially harmful level of protein for the general population. It can place excessive metabolic stress on the kidneys and liver.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for protein in Indian adults as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses play a crucial role in nutritional assessment and counseling. Knowing the RDA for protein helps in identifying malnutrition and planning dietary interventions for patients.
Inadequate protein intake leads to Protein-Energy Malnutrition (PEM), resulting in symptoms like muscle wasting (cachexia), edema, hair loss, and impaired immune function, which delays recovery.
Conversely, excessive protein intake over long periods, especially in individuals with undiagnosed kidney issues, can accelerate the progression of renal disease.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key elements of the question: it asks for the 'recommended protein intake' for a 'Adult Indian'.
This is a factual recall question based on nutritional guidelines. The primary authority for Indian nutritional standards is the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
Recall or look for the standard protein RDA. The latest ICMR (2020) guideline is 0.83 g/kg of body weight. However, the value of 1 g/kg is a long-standing, widely taught, and practical approximation.
Compare this knowledge with the given options. The option '1 gm per kg body weight' is the most plausible and scientifically accepted answer among the choices.
Eliminate the other options (2, 3, and 4 g/kg) as they represent high-protein diets for specific populations like athletes, not for the general adult.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for protein in Indian adults.
Stem keywords: recommended protein intake, Adult Indian, body weight
Lead-in keywords: What is

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