An individual's nutritional needs depend on which of the following factors?

An individual's nutritional needs are primarily influenced by various intrinsic factors, which include age, sex, weight, physical activity, and body type.

Age plays a crucial role as nutritional requirements change throughout the life cycle. For instance, children, teenagers, adults, and the elderly each have distinct nutritional needs to support growth, development, and overall health. Sex is also significant, as men and women can have different dietary requirements due to differences in body composition and hormonal influences. Additionally, weight is a critical factor, as it directly relates to caloric needs. A person's level of physical activity further influences their dietary requirements, with more active individuals needing more calories and nutrients to support their energy expenditures. Lastly, body type can affect how a person metabolizes food and their overall nutrient needs.

While preferences and cultural background, dietary restrictions and allergies, and geographical location and climate all influence dietary choices and availability of certain foods, they do not inherently dictate the nutritional needs of an individual like the intrinsic factors mentioned.