ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the dietary nutrition status of plateau frontier forces and to make recommendations on food and nutrients intake for plateau forces.Methods The dietary status of the plateau forces located at an altitude of 4600 m and 4030 m was investigated by weighing method.The dietary ration for soldiers, their daily dietary allowance and dietary balance index were used to evaluate their dietary patterns and nutrient intake.The concentrations of serum vitamin A and 25-OH vitamin D(25-OH VD) were detected by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).The arm muscle circumference and body fat rate of soldiers were evaluated by GJB 1636A-2016 and body composition related standard respectively.Results The intake of eggs, milk and plant oil of Unit A was sufficient, while the rest of the food intake did not reach the military standard;The intake of grain and plant oil of Unit B was sufficient,but the rest of the food intake was insufficient.The intake of protein,calcium,phosphonium,sodium,iron,selenium,iodine,copper,manganese,vitamin E and vitamin B3 of Unit A were adequate, but that of energy,potassium,zinc,magnesium,vitamin D,vitamin C,vitamin B1 and vitamin B2 was insufficient, and the intake of vitamin A,vitamin B6,vitamin B9 and vitamin B12 of Unit A was deficient.The intake of energy, protein,vitamin E,vitamin C,vitamin B1 and vitamin B3,and most of the minerals was adequate in Unit B, but vitamin B2 was insufficient.Furthermore, the intake of calcium,iodine,vitamin A,vitamin D and vitamin B was deficient.The proportion of nutrients which supply energy and the energy distribution of three meals in the two units were imperfect.The concentration of plasma vitamin A in both units was sufficient,but the concentration of plasma 25-OH VD was deficient.93.5% soldiers of unit A and 97.7% soldiers of unit B reached the standard of proper muscle circumference,80.6% soldiers of unit A and 70.5% soldiers of unit B had a low body fat rate.Conclusion The dietary structure of plateau border forces is not balanced.The intake of some foods and nutrients is insufficient so that nutritional education is badly needed to improve the dietary status of plateau forces.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the levels of nutritional knowledge, attitude and dietary habits and its influential factors of the officers and soldiers in frontier forces to provide the theory basis for nutrition education.Methods Using self-designed nutritional knowledge-altitude-practice (KAP) questionnaires to survey 90 officers and soldiers who lived in plateau for at least 6 months. Questionnaires were handed out and handed over on the spot. According toMilitary Nutrition Survey and Evaluation Methods (GJB 1636A-2016), we measured the physical index of officers and soldiers, including height, weight and skin thickness of triceps. And we also evaluated body mass index (BMI) and upper arm muscle circumference.Results Nutrition knowledge, attitude and practice conditions of plateau forces were at the average, better and average levels respectively. Nutritional knowledge was significantly positively related to the practices (r=0.283,P=0.003), and was also significantly positively related to the age of the soldiers (r=0.228,P=0.04). Nutritional attitude was positively related to source of officers and soldiers (r=0.339,P=0.035), and nutritional practices were positively related to the upper arm muscle circumference (r=0.222,P=0.030). 65.6% of the officers and soldiers would like to know the knowledge about relationship between diet and disease. 25.6% of the officers and soldiers in the plateau were alcohol users.Conclusions Although the nutrition knowledge of plateau forces were poor, and the nutritional practices were influenced by nutritional knowledge, but the soldiers' attitude of changing unhealthy dietary habits was very positive. It is necessary to undertake the dietary nutrition education related to the high altitude nutrition among plateau forces to guild their nutritional practice scientifically.