Nutrition Education And Diet Modification Aboard Submarines.

Abstract : During a one year period, 534 male, US Navy submariners participated in a nutrition research project designed to reduce coronary heart disease (CHD) risk. The research was carried out on board USN Trident Submarines before, during, and following actual patrols. Subjects from six submarine crews were assigned to either the education/diet group (E) or the control group (C). Group E was provided nutrition education and a modified 5 week cycle menu which focused on decreasing the percentages of caloric intake derived from fat and high cholesterol food. Group C received NO intervention. Measurements of cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), triglycerides (TG), Ratio (TC/HDL), blood pressure (BP), and body fat (BF%) were taken before and after deployment and again after the off crew period. Age, height, and weight data were also gathered. The data were analyzed with the MANOVA procedure using a mixed multivariate model with repeated measures on the two groups. Following the patrol one of the three control crews demonstrated statistically and clinically significant decreases in TC, HDL, LDL, and ratio and another crew showed a significant decrease in BP (systolic). Within the education group (3 crews) several significant decreases occurred during deployment: TC declined (3 crews), LDL and HDL declined (2 crews), ratio declined (one crew), and TG declined (2 crews). All six crews demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in BF% during deployment. Changes were noted following the off crew period. Both groups demonstrated increases in most variables. The experiment demonstrated that regardless of education or menu intervention, subjects showed some reduction in CHD risk factors during deployment.