Assessment of Nutritional Status and Fatigue Among Army Recruits During the Army Common Recruit Training Course: Part A: Catering Services and Diet
Abstract
The nutritional status and fatigue level of Army recruits undergoing the Army Common Recruit Training (ACRT) course was assessed. This was achieved via the evaluation of the food services at the Army Recruit Training Centre, recruits dietary intake and the estimation of recruits total energy expenditure for the entire course and the most arduous activities of recruit training. Recruits were found to be consuming less energy than their requirements and a diet inappropriate for strenuous training -- high in fat and low in carbohydrate. There was evidence that the recruits nutritional requirements were not being met during the course: a small weight loss experienced by most recruits; comments by recruits and researcher observations; and the fact that recruits felt hungry between meals. During the study period recruits were provided with three meals per day. A more appropriate eating pattern would be three meals each consisting of a minimum 2.5 MJ to 4MJ and 100 to 140 g carbohydrate, and two or three between meal snacks each consisting of around 1 - 2 MJ and 50 - 100 g of carbohydrate. Extra energy supplied in the form of carbohydrate and different timing of meals would assist recruits through the very arduous days of the ACRT course.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA447856
Entities
People
- Bianka Skiller
- Chris Forbes-ewan
- Christine Booth
- Ross Coad
Organizations
- Defence Science and Technology Group