What is the objective of establishing nutrient reference values?

The objective of establishing nutrient reference values primarily focuses on ensuring balanced nutrient intake. These values serve as guidelines to help individuals understand how much of each nutrient they need for optimal health. They are based on scientific research and provide recommendations for various populations, including different age groups, genders, and life stages.

By promoting a balanced nutrient intake, these values aim to prevent deficiencies and excessive intakes that can lead to health issues. They help healthcare professionals, dietitians, and the general public make informed dietary choices to achieve adequate nutrition and maintain overall health.

The other options reflect aspects of nutrition but do not capture the main purpose of nutrient reference values as clearly. For instance, promoting food waste reduction and determining dietary preferences are important for sustainability and personal choice, respectively, but they do not directly address the need for balanced nutrient consumption. Evaluating toxic levels of nutrients is relevant to safety but is not the primary function of nutrient reference values, which are intended to guide healthy intake rather than identify toxicity thresholds.