A Nutrition Survey of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Korea

Abstract

A survey of the nutrition of Korean military forces was conducted in June and July 1956. It included the collection of information on agriculture, food production and dietary pattern; computation of the nutrient content of rations as nominally allowed and as actually issued in 4 randomly chosen military kitchens, confirmed by biochemical analysis of composite samples of the food as served. Physical examination was performed on a statistically adequate sample of the troops and blood samples were taken from 20% of those examined clinically and 6-hour fasting specimens of urine from 14.5% and all these were analyzed biochemically. The findings of the survey indicated that, in general, the nutritional status of the Armed Forces was good. There was a vast improvement in the nutritional health of the troops as compared to their status in 1953. This reflects a most praiseworthy accomplishment due in considerable part to the genuine efforts of the Republic of Korea and the U. S. Advisory personnel. Among the 1514 enlisted men examined physically, there were relatively few individuals who showed evidence of poor nutrition and none exhibiting severe nutritional disease. The adequacy of the calorie intake is indicated by the observed weight-height-age relationship of the troops. Using the adjusted (to nude weight) U. S. Medico-Actuarial tables as a reference standard only 5 individuals were under 80% of “standard weight,” with only 61.7% of the troops examined under 90% of “standard weight” as compared to 46% of the troops in 1953. The mean per cent of “standard weight” was approximately 97%. Great improvement in the distribution of essential nutrients to the troops is also reflected in the marked reduction in the percentage of men exhibiting clinical symptoms of nutritional disease. Indications of vitamin C deficiency were no longer present as they were in 1953 and those of protein deficiency were much less marked and indeed minor or doubtful. Dietary studies indicated very adequate thiamine and niacin intakes but suboptimal intakes of riboflavin were noted in some of the troops. This was confirmed by the clinical findings (13.8% of the troops had angular lesions of the mouth and 16.3% excreted less than 30 µg of riboflavin per 6-hour urine specimen). Evaluation of the food issues also revealed suboptimal levels of vitamin A and carotene; however, the physical and biochemical findings of the men afforded no confirmation of this; presumably seasonal high intakes of green vegetables obtained from military gardens and elsewhere have prevented clinical deficiencies. Messing and food distribution procedures on the whole were greatly improved, but minor weaknesses still exist in the design of menus, substitution of foods, issuing of rations and in cooking and messing facilities, especially as to sanitation. There was no evidence of food wastage in the kitchens and virtually no plate waste. Comparisons with other surveys afford useful information on height and weight, frequency of incidence of certain symptoms of disease and biochemical values of blood and urine. Comparisons with Formosan and Filipino soldiers are of major interest because of the predominance of rice in the diets of these three East Asian peoples. The anthropometric measurements afford a preliminary basis for medico-actuarial standards more applicable to rice-eating Asians than those heretofore available. The men of the military forces of these three countries are very similar in height but the “standard weight” of the Korean is significantly above that of the Formosan or Filipino. Skin-fold measurements of Koreans combined with weight measurements show very low incidence of serious underweight and essentially no obesity. The troops in all three countries exhibit clinical and biochemical evidence of a shortage of riboflavin. This occurs with greatest frequency among Formosans, less among Koreans and still less among Filipinos. Blood plasma protein was somewhat lower among Koreans than Formosans and similar to that of Filipinos. Ascorbic acid level in serum was higher for Koreans than for Formosans or Filipinos. Thiamine was quite adequate as to urinary excretion in Koreans but marginal in Filipinos. Vitamin A nutriture was similar for Koreans and Filipinos but lower for Formosans. The significance of these comparisons can be fully evaluated only after the collection of further survey data.