AVERAGE FOOD CONSUMPTION IN THE TRAINING CAMPS OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY (1941–1943)

Abstract

455 nutritional surveys were carried out at 50 military posts of the United States Army where Field Ration A, the rough equivalent of a liberal civilian diet with a wide range of all types of food, was provided. The food consumption levels indicate that the American soldier in the training camps of this country received a nutritionally adequate diet, although messing operations may be of such nature as to detract considerably from the optimum which could be attained. In the mess, the avg. caloric intake of the avg. soldier/day, as detd. by evaluation of food consumed, was approx. 3700 calories. Avg. purchases in the canteen probably approximated 350-400 calories/man/day. Seasonal variations in the consumption of food probably did not exceed 400 calories (in the mess hall). Some biochemical results obtained during a survey of a small group of soldiers (50) are presented as possibly being indicative of the nutritional state of soldiers following 13 wks.'' subsistence on Field Ration A while carrying out the activities involved in basic military training.