What is the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) in the context of human nutrition?

• A. The maximum daily nutrient intake level that is unlikely to cause adverse health effects.
• B. The minimum daily nutrient intake level required to prevent deficiency diseases.
• C. The average daily nutrient intake level estimated to meet the requirement of half the healthy individuals in a particular life stage and gender group.
• D. The average daily nutrient intake level sufficient to meet the nutrient requirements of nearly all (97-98%) healthy individuals.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) in human nutrition. EAR is a dietary reference value used to assess the nutrient intake of populations.
2. Recognize that EAR is not the maximum or minimum daily nutrient intake level. It is specifically the average daily intake level estimated to meet the needs of half the healthy individuals in a specific group.
3. Identify the purpose of EAR, which is to help in planning and assessing the diets of groups rather than individuals, ensuring that the nutrient needs of the population are met.
4. Differentiate EAR from other dietary reference values such as Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA), which is the average daily intake level sufficient to meet the nutrient requirements of nearly all (97-98%) healthy individuals.
5. Consider the application of EAR in nutritional studies and policy-making, where it helps in understanding the nutrient needs of different demographic groups based on life stage and gender.