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Nutritional status of land-based U.S. Navy divers
A Singh1, P A Deuster, B A Day
1Department of Military Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD.
Undersea Biomedical Research
|March 1, 1988
Summary
U.S. Navy divers had high sodium and cholesterol intake, with low fiber and carbohydrate consumption. Their nutritional status requires further evaluation for cold water diving suitability.
Area of Science:
- Sports Nutrition
- Human Physiology
- Military Health
Background:
- Assessing nutritional status is crucial for military personnel undertaking demanding physical activities.
- Baseline data is needed to understand the impact of cold water diving on divers' health.
- Previous nutritional assessments specific to U.S. Navy divers are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the nutritional status of U.S. Navy divers before a cold water dive series.
- To establish baseline dietary intake and biochemical markers.
- To identify potential nutritional deficiencies or excesses relevant to dive performance and health.
Main Methods:
- Dietary records were collected from 16 male U.S. Navy divers.
- Blood samples and 24-hour urine collections were analyzed.
- Macronutrient, micronutrient, cholesterol, sodium, and alcohol intake were quantified.
Main Results:
- Divers consumed high amounts of sodium (4462 mg/d) and cholesterol (507 mg/d).
- Intake of crude fiber (3.7 g/d) and complex carbohydrates was low.
- Mean intakes of vitamin B6 and folacin were below recommended allowances; urinary sodium excretion was high.
Conclusions:
- The divers' diet was characterized by high sodium and cholesterol, and low fiber and complex carbohydrates.
- Nutrient intakes for vitamin B6 and folacin were below Military Recommended Dietary Allowances.
- The suitability of these dietary patterns for extended cold water dives requires further investigation.