Glossary
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Glossary
Adequate intake (AI): The average daily nutrient intake level based on observed or experimentally-determined
approximations or estimates of nutrient intake by a group (or groups) of apparently healthy people that are
assumed to be adequate. An AI is set when there is inadequate evidence to support setting a recommended
daily intake (RDI).
Adolescents: For the purposes of these Guidelines, an adolescent is someone aged 12–18 years. A marked
increase in the rate of growth and development during adolescence increases the need for most nutrients
including energy, protein, vitamins and minerals.
Allium vegetables: Vegetables derived from a bulbous plant having an onion odour, including garlic, leeks,
shallots, chives and onions.
Anaemia: There are several forms of anaemia. Microcytic anaemia (referring to small red blood cells) is a
deficiency of red blood cells or their haemoglobin, often, but not always, related to iron deficiency. Macrocytic
anaemia (referring to large red blood cells) is prevalent in some groups (such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander people) and may in some cases be associated with deficiencies of other nutrients, especially folate
and vitamin B 12.
Body mass: Body mass and body weight are often used interchangeably to describe the weight of a person’s
body.
Body mass index (BMI): An index calculated by dividing the weight of an individual (in kilograms) by the square
of their height (in metres), BMI is a simple estimate of the body fatness of a human being who does not have
abnormal physical characteristics. The World Health Organization and the uS National Institutes of Health have
recommended that an operational definition of overweight be a BMI of at least 25kg/m^2 and obesity as a BMI
of at least 30kg/m^2.
A large number of anthropometric measurements and indices have been proposed for assessing and monitoring
levels of obesity. Methods used in research studies to measure the percentage of body fat are not practical for
regular clinical and community use.
Body weight: See body mass.
Brassica vegetables: Vegetables from the Brassica or crucifer family, collectively known as cabbages or mustards
and including broccoli, cabbage and brussel sprouts.
Breads: Refers to leavened and unleavened wholemeal, white, mixed-grain, rye and fruit breads, as well as rolls,
bagels, English muffins, crispbreads, crumpets and low fat crackers.
Carbohydrates: Carbohydrates are polyhydroxy aldehydes, ketones, alcohols, acids, their simple derivatives, and
their polymers with linkages of the acetal type. They can be classified according to their degree of polymerisation
and can be divided initially into three principal groups – sugars, oligosaccharides and polysaccharides.
Carbohydrates are the least concentrated form of energy providing 17 kilojoules per gram.
Cereals: See grain foods.
Cereal fibre: Cereal fibre refers to dietary fibre obtained from core grain-based foods, including bread, breakfast
cereals, rice and pasta.
Children: For the purposes of these Guidelines, children are defined as toddlers aged 1–3 years, preschoolers
aged 3–5 years and primary school age 6–11 years. It is important for children to receive a nutritious diet that
includes all the nutrients they need to grow and develop normally.