Nutritional and Hydration Status of Special Forces Soldiers Consuming the Ration, Cold Weather, or the Meal, Ready-to-Eat Ration during a Ten Day Cold Weather Field Training Exercise
Abstract
Four teams of Special Forces volunteers were divided into two groups to test the Mead, Ready to Eat (MRE) and the Ration Cold Weather (RCW) rations in a field test in a moderately cold environment. Pre and post measurements were taken, and field data was limited to questionnaires and a daily urine dipstick measure. Both groups lost weight (MRE - 6.9 lbs; RCW - 5.9 lbs) as the average caloric intake was 2733 kcal less than MRE group and 2751 kcal for RCW group. These caloric intakes were approximately 1000 kcal less that their estimated energy requirements. Both groups showed evidence of dehydration (as indicated by elevated urinary specific gravity) which could have been reduced by better water discipline. The RCW ration consumption led to lower protein, lower salt and higher carbohydrate intakes than the MRE ration. The daily RCW ration (4541 kcal) weighs about half as much as a comparable caloric amount of MRE rations (4 rations = 4892 kcal). There did not appear to be any significant difference in the consumption of the two rations, but the theoretical decrease in water requirements due to lower protein and salt content and the decreased weight make the RCW a better choice for use in cold environments where freezing, water availability, and weight are important considerations. A future version of the RCW should maintain the present carbohydrate level, but reduce the sugar content by reducing the bar/cookie components, and include items to encourage fluid consumption. Keywords: Weight loss; hypohydration.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 19, 1987
- Accession Number
- ADA179886
Entities
People
- D. E. Roberts
- E. W. Askew
- M. A. Sharp
- M. S. Rose
- S. Bruttig
Organizations
- United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine