Which is not a characteristic of dietary allowance?

The correct choice highlights that dietary allowances are not meant to represent averages across all population food intake. Instead, dietary allowances are designed to meet specific needs of individuals within defined age and gender groups.

Dietary allowances take into consideration the variations in nutritional requirements across different demographics. This means they are tailored to ensure that most individuals, including those with higher needs, receive sufficient nutrients to prevent deficiencies.

By not being an average for the entire population, dietary allowances avoid dilution of nutritional guidelines that could occur if they were based solely on general consumption patterns. This specificity is crucial for public health nursing as it allows for targeted nutritional guidance that addresses the unique needs of various groups, ultimately supporting better health outcomes.

Thus, the notion that dietary allowances are averages for the entire population is incorrect because they are intended to be a more precise reflection of individual nutritional needs rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.