Dietary Intake and Energy Requirement of Indian Submariners in Tropical Waters

Abstract

The energy requirement of the Indian crew of a conventional submarino was assessed by the actual food intake and energy expenditure during exercises in tropical waters, for a period of 15 days in two phases. In Phase I, precooked, preserved and roady-to-eafc rations were issued and in Phase II, rations served were cooked on board, The mean daily energy expenditure during both the phases was found to be 11.20 MJ. The mean daily energy intakes during these two phases were 12.45 MJ and 11.80MJ respectively. Kitchen and plate wastage was found to be 6%. Taking this wastage and 6% extra loss during absorption into account, the dietary intake was found to balance the energy expenditure. The body weight and haemoglobin level was maintained during this period. It has been concluded that the daily energy requirement of an Indian submariner in tropical waters is about 12.54 MJ.