Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
A balanced diet provides all necessary nutrients in the correct quantities based on age, gender, and physical activity level as specified by dietary guidelines (such as ICMR-NIN).
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze each statement:
1. Statement (A) is False: Men generally have higher basal metabolic rates (BMR) and greater lean muscle mass than women of corresponding age, requiring more daily energy.
2. Statement (B) is False: Men require less dietary iron than women. Women of reproductive age lose iron regularly during menstruation and therefore have a significantly higher iron requirement.
3. Statement (C) is True: The RDA for protein is calculated based on body weight (e.g., \(1\text{ g/kg body weight/day}\)) and does not vary with physical activity level, unlike energy requirements.
4. Statement (D) is True: Physical activity increases calorie consumption. B-vitamins (Thiamine, Riboflavin, Niacin) function as coenzymes in carbohydrate and energy metabolism, so their requirements scale directly with energy expenditure.
5. Statement (E) is True: According to ICMR-NIN (2020) guidelines, the recommended dietary intake for calcium is \(1000\text{ mg/day}\) for both adult men and women.
Therefore, statements (C), (D), and (E) are correct.
Step 3: Final Answer
The correct option is (C).