Dietary Intakes of Female and Male Combat Support Hospital Personnel Subsisting on Meal-Focused or Standard Versions of the Meal, Ready-to-Eat

摘要

This study investigated gender differences in nutrient intake and energy expenditure of combat support hospital personnel during a field training exercise, as well as evaluated a test ration which was slightly higher in carbohydrate and lower in fat than standard MREs and included items being considered for future MREs. Women consumed less energy than men (p<0.01) from both the Concept ration (mean +/- SD: 2092 +/- 570 kcal/d vs. 2678 +/- 516 kcal/ d for women and men, respectively) and MRE XVII (1818 +/- 492 kcal/d vs. 2396 +/ - 678 kcal/d, respectively). Energy expenditures of the female and male volunteers measured by doubly-labeled water were 2745 +/- 87 kcal/d and 3956 +/- 243 kcal/d (mean +/- SE), respectively, suggesting a significant energy deficit. However, there were no gender difference in energy intakes (31 +/- 9 kcal/kg for women vs. 31 +/- 10 kcal/kg for men) or energy expenditures (44.9 +/- 1.5 kcal/ kg for women vs. 45.5 +/- 2.3 kcal/kg for men) when normalized for body weight. When intakes of nutrients were normalized for energy intake or body size, there were very few gender differences. Primarily because women consumed less energy than men, greater proportions of women than men (p<0.01) failed to meet intake criteria for folate, vitamins B6 and B12, calcium, iron, magnesium, and zinc. The Concept ration did enhance energy and carbohydrate intakes; however, protein intakes in the Concept group were marginally adequate. Thus, the nutrient densities of the field rations tested are not adequate at the levels of energy intake observed in these women (and some men), suggesting that supplementation or further fortification of ration components should be investigated. Efforts to enhance carbohydrate intakes in operational settings will need to ensure that protein intakes are not compromised.