What kind of problems hinder a person's ability to ingest food?

The correct choice, which focuses on the interference with ingestion, addresses the direct challenges that impact a person's ability to take in food. Ingestion refers to the physical act of consuming food, which can be influenced by several factors including mouth and throat conditions, dental issues, neurological disorders, or psychological barriers such as anorexia or depression.

Issues that impair the mechanics of chewing, swallowing, or the desire to eat can significantly hinder someone’s ability to ingest food. For instance, if a person has difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), they may avoid eating due to fear of choking, leading to inadequate intake of nutrition. Similarly, dental pain or missing teeth can make eating difficult, which directly affects ingestion.

Although the other options involve important aspects of nutrition and metabolism—like nutrient absorption or utilization—these do not specifically address the initial step of getting food into the body. Therefore, while they represent significant issues concerning overall nutrition and health, they do not pertain to the immediate act of ingestion itself.