GLOSSARY

Childhood Overweight A childhood weight classification based on age-appropriate growth criteria rather than adult BMI thresholds.

Growth assessment compares accurate serial measurements with an age- and sex-appropriate standard or reference. Confirm exact age, measurement technique and the chosen chart. A percentile describes relative position; a z-score describes distance from the reference distribution under that chart's model. A change in trajectory can warrant assessment without establishing one nutritional cause. Adult body-mass categories do not transfer directly to children. For young athletes, interpret growth together with maturation, health and intake rather than treating a low body mass as evidence of superior fitness.

Young athletes need nutrition for growth, maturation, learning and health as well as exercise. Chronological age does not fully describe biological maturity, and growth spurts can change appetite and requirements. Plan accessible meals and snacks around school, travel and training with suitable family support. Avoid transferring adult weight-loss targets, body-composition ideals or supplement routines to children. Faltering growth, persistent fatigue, delayed development or restrictive eating calls for age-appropriate professional assessment rather than simply demanding greater discipline or more training.

Usual intake describes a longer-term average rather than the intake of one isolated day. Day-to-day variation includes real differences between training, rest and competition days as well as measurement noise. Repeated observations should cover relevant conditions and be collected with a suitable method. Averaging a few unusual days can still give a misleading estimate. For the athlete, preserve useful information about distribution and timing: an acceptable weekly energy average can coexist with repeated underfueling around demanding sessions.

An adequate diet provides sufficient energy and essential nutrients while fitting health needs. A high score for variety or a healthy food label cannot independently demonstrate adequacy. Review what is actually eaten, including foods excluded and suitable replacements. Athletes can consume many vegetables yet still lack enough energy or carbohydrate for training. Assess the overall pattern, distribution and relevant nutrient risks rather than assuming that a single food or supplement makes the entire diet balanced.

Nutrient status reflects intake, absorption, distribution, stores, losses and physiological demand. A normal blood concentration may not exclude depleted stores, while an abnormal result can have non-nutritional causes. Calcium in blood, for example, does not directly measure dietary calcium adequacy or skeletal reserves. Different nutrients require different assessment strategies. Select tests for a defined clinical question and interpret them with symptoms, diet, relevant disease and sampling conditions instead of ordering a broad panel and assuming every number is a performance target.

A nutrition care record should explain the assessment, interpretation, agreed plan, responsible professionals and follow-up criteria. Separate reported information from measured findings and clinical judgments. Record relevant units, dates, methods and changes so that another practitioner can understand the decision. Seek consent for sharing sensitive information and limit access appropriately. A referral should communicate the specific concern and urgency rather than only a broad label. In sport, documentation should support continuity of care while protecting health information from inappropriate use in coaching or selection.