Estimated Average Requirements (EAR) are designed to meet the needs of what percentage of the population?

Estimated Average Requirements (EAR) are established as nutritional intake levels that are expected to meet the needs of approximately half of the healthy individuals in a specific age and gender group within a population. This means that the EAR is designed to ensure that 50% of the population will have their dietary needs met, while the other 50% may need more or less depending on individual variations. This formulation is critical in guiding public health policies and dietary recommendations, helping to identify the needs of populations and forming a basis for further dietary guidelines and recommendations.

The other answer choices reflect incorrect percentages that do not align with the definition of EAR. For example, 25% would underrepresent the majority of the population, while 75% and 100% would be aiming to meet the requirements of a far larger segment than what the EAR is intended to cover. Thus, 50% is the accurate representation of the target for EAR.