Food Intake and Energy Expenditure of Sailors at a Large Naval Base

Estimates were made of the availability, wastage and intake of food, and of the energy expenditure of a cohort of eleven sailors over a seven day period at HMAS Albatross, a large Naval base. In addition, an attempt was made to estimate energy expenditure for an additional period of approximately nine days. Five members of the cohort were classified as the active group and the remaining six were inactive. Two methods were used to estimate energy expenditure - the doubly-labelled water technique and an intakebalance study. The results below are expressed as kilojoules kJ per person per day. Food availability averaged 20 000 kJ, based on the number of sailors who actually ate at the mess. Based on victualling strength, food availability was about 10 100 kJ. Wastage of food amounted to 24 of food availability. Mean food intake was 13 400 kJ with a standard deviation SD of or - 3 925 kJ. Food intake varied from 9 190 kJ sedentary female to 20 030 kJ male triathlete. Energy expenditure by doubly-labelled water averaged 13 850 or - 2 510kJ the result by the intakebalance method was 13 200 or - 4 265 kJ. It is concluded that food availability is more than adequate to meet requirements at current attendance rates. Food wastage during the period of this study was high. Suggestions are given on reducing fat and salt intake, and improving the retention of heat-labile vitamins in cooked foods. Finally, it is concluded that seven days is an appropriate period to study the energy expenditure of active and inactive subjects using the doubly-labelled water technique.