The field of sports nutrition is a dynamic one. Core competencies in exercise physiology, psychology, integrated metabolism and biochemistry are the initial parameters for a successful career in sports nutrition. In addition to the academic fundamentals, it is imperative that the sports nutritionist understand the sport in which our client participates. This sport specific understanding should manifest itself in fuel utilization, mechanics of movement, as well as psychological processes that motivate the participant to perform optimally.

Sports nutrition is a broad interdisciplinary field that involves dietitians, biochemists, exercise physiologists, cell and molecular biologists, and occasionally psychotherapists. It has both a basic science aspect that includes such concerns as understanding the body’s use of nutrients during athletic competition and the need for nutritional supplements among athletes; and an application aspect, which is concerned with the use of proper nutrition and dietary supplements to enhance an athlete’s performance. The psychological or psychiatric dimension of sports nutrition is concerned with eating and other mental disorders related to nutrition among athletes.

Nutrition is the process of consuming, absorbing and using nutrients needed by the body for growth, development and the maintenance of life; nutrients are chemical substances in foods that nourish the body. The present book entitled Sports Nutrition discusses in detail all the essential and relevant aspects involve in sports nutrition.

Weight management refers to a set of practices and behaviors that are necessary to keep one’s weight at a healthful level. It is preferred to the term “dieting,” because it involves more than regulation of food intake or treatment of overweight people. People diagnosed with eating disorders who are not obese or overweight still need to practice weight management. Some health care professionals use the term “nutritional disorders” to cover all disorders related to weight.

The purpose of weight management is to help each patient achieve and stay at the best weight possible the context of overall health, occupation, and living situation. A second purpose is the prevention and treatment of diseases and disorders associated with obesity or with eating disorders. These disorders include depression and other psychiatric disturbances, in addition to the physical problems associated with nutritional disorders.

Good nutrition is vital to successful weight loss and management, and for good health. Several benefits of good nutrition are: improvement in cholesterol, reduction of blood pressure, and increase in overall energy. Many of us have tried one or more of the many fad diets or in the past have experienced the vicious cycle of unhealthy weight loss/weight regain. Some of the popular diets suggest eliminating certain food groups while others suggest taking mega-doses of vitamins.

Balbinder Singh