Återmatning

Återmatning is a Scandinavian term whose exact meaning depends on context, combining the elements åter- meaning “again” or “re-” and matning meaning “feeding” or “supply.” The phrase is encountered in Swedish and Norwegian-language sources and is not uniformly standardized in English, with some writers preferring related spellings such as återmatning or återutfodring.

In medical and veterinary nutrition, återmatning generally refers to the careful reintroduction of nutrition after a period of undernutrition or fasting. The concept emphasizes controlled, gradual feeding to restore metabolic balance while minimizing complications, such as the risk of refeeding syndrome. In this sense, återmatning aligns with broader clinical practices around nutrition rehabilitation and monitoring electrolyte and fluid status during the refeeding process.

In agricultural, aquaculture, and animal-raising contexts, the term may describe the reintroduction of feed to livestock, fish, or other cultivated organisms after a break or a period of reduced activity. Guidelines in these domains typically specify species- and system-specific protocols for pacing, composition, and monitoring during refeeding.

Because återmatning is not a universally standardized term in English and may vary in spelling and scope across languages, researchers and practitioners may use more common equivalents such as refeeding or återutfodring depending on the jurisdiction. For precise usage, consulting domain-specific guidelines or dictionaries in Swedish or Norwegian is recommended.