Nutrition and Hydration Status of Soldiers Consuming the 18-Man Artic Tray PackRation Module with Either the Meal, Ready-to-Eat or the Long Life Ration Packet During a Cold Weather Field Training Exercise

摘要

This 10-day test evaluated two Army Field Feeding System feeding modalities(T/MRE/T and T/LLRP/T) with 96 male soldiers participating in a cold weather field training exercise. Nutrition/hydration status was assessed from food/fluid intake, body weight and percent fat changes, and urine specific gravity. Energy expenditure was measured on a sub-sample (n=20) who also provided blood samples, and a 24-h urine sample for nitrogen balance. Mean energy intake was similar between groups (3271 and 3035 kcavd for the T/MRE(T and T/LLRP/T groups, respectively) meeting about 70% of MRDA, and 77% of energy expenditure. Mean intake of protein, vitamins and minerals was adequate except for the T/LLRP/T group's vitamin B6 (58% of MRDA). Body weight loss (1.1 and 0.6%,. respectively) was significant (p < 0.05) within, but similar between groups. Body fat decreased 10.6 and 4.9%, respectively. Mean nitrogen balance was positive indicating that the energy deficit was not exerting a severe metabolic stress. Further, psychophysiological data indicate that neither group was severely stressed and the rations provided were sufficient to sustain them. Although the LLRP received higher acceptability ratings than the MRE, all the rations were well accepted. It was concluded that neither feeding regimen was better than the other in preventing body weight loss or maintaining nutrition/hydration status. Thus, the feeding modality chosen for Cold Weather Field Feeding depends upon mission parameters and water availability and heating capabilities.