Which of the following students is most likely to lose weight safely?

The student who is most likely to lose weight safely is the one with a daily intake of 2000 calories and a daily expenditure of 2800 calories. This student is operating with a caloric deficit of 800 calories each day (2800 - 2000), which is a sustainable and safe way to lose weight. A consistent caloric deficit allows the body to utilize stored fat for energy, leading to gradual weight loss.

It's important to note that a deficit of 500 to 1000 calories per day is often recommended for safe weight loss, leading to approximately 1 to 2 pounds of weight loss per week. The chosen intake and expenditure create a scenario where the student is still receiving sufficient nutrition while promoting healthy weight loss.

In contrast, those with different caloric intake and expenditure ratios may not achieve the same effective weight loss or may not do so as safely. For example, a student with a very high caloric intake but also higher expenditure (such as the second choice with 2500 intake and 3000 expenditure) might not be losing effectively or could be at risk if caloric intake is reduced too drastically. Each individual's body requires a careful balance between nutrition and energy usage for optimal health and weight management.