FFM explained variation in RMR across age and sex. The FFM-based Soares et al. (, British Journal of Nutrition, 79) equation for girls and body weight-based Wong et al. (, Singapore Medical Journal, 53) equation for boys are best suited for predicting RMR.

Junior soccer players consumed more than recommended carbohydrates in the diet, although not aligning with the pretraining, during training, and posttraining meal requirements. Considering the energy deficits observed among Under-16 players, a suitable dietary modification is warranted.

Adolescence is a transitional phase of development with the risk of adopting unhealthy behaviours, which is carried on to adulthood. Adolescent athletes tend to resort to unhealthy eating habits resulting in eating disorders and other clinical outcomes. Hence, it forms a crucial age to understand modifiable food habits and provide appropriate counselling. In India, coaches closely monitor the adolescent athletes, even concerning their eating habits due to the lack of multi-disciplinary support staff. Thus, our study aimed to understand the perceptions of coaches towards food, appetite and nutrition of adolescent athletes using In-depth interviews (IDI). Of all 14 coaches at the state-sponsored residential sports centre, 10 consented. The IDI were conducted in a standardized manner and were recorded and transcribed. They were coded manually, using the open and axial coding in the grounded theory approach to determine themes. They considered nutrition as key to performance and consumption of higher animal protein as important. Majority of them considered sprouts, dry fruits, fruits and vegetables as healthy foods, though were unable to define the quantities nor nutrients therein. Coaches considered protein as "important", while fat as "unhealthy". They also observed that athletes were avoiding fruits and vegetables, while consuming more rice. Meal timing, fluid and supplement intake were considered essential for international performance, albeit unaware of the specific requirements. Hygiene practices and peer isolation were considered to affect food intake. This lacunae in the nutrition knowledge and the modifiable nutrition practices explored can be targeted by developing a nutrition education and assessment tool for coaches and junior athletes. Further, a long-term engagement of a nutritionist with every sports academy in India is recommended.

Weightlifters involve in intense strength and resistance training, thus calorie adequacy is a nutritional concern for them. Determining Resting Metabolic rate (RMR) is important to assess energy needs and there is limited scientific evidence in this area. Thus, this study aims to document physical characteristics and RMR of Indian junior weightlifters. It also attempts to identify suitable RMR prediction equations by developing new equations and comparing measured with predicted RMR from seven equations already existing world-wide. In this cross-sectional observation study, twenty one Indian junior weightlifters (Boys = 9; Girls = 12) were assessed for body composition (skinfold technique) and RMR using indirect calorimetry. Regression models for RMR were developed and measured RMR was compared with predicted RMR using paired samples t-test. The 24-hour RMR showed significant (P<0.01) gender differences (Boys = 1675 ± 111.7; Girls = 1425 ± 93.4), whereas, RMR per unit fatfree mass and body mass were similar across gender. The simple equation developed using body mass (RMR = 1206 + 13 × Body Mass (Kg) – 227.7 × Gender; R2 = 0.872; SEE = 60.604) showed good agreement with measured RMR. Out of seven existing RMR models, the equation of ten Haaf and Weijs (2014) showed better predictability. In conclusion, fat-free mass caused a major variation in RMR. Considering the limited scientific evidence, prediction equations newly developed and RMR equation of ten Haaf and Weijs (2014) can be used for periodical monitoring of RMR.