Study on diet of the wintering parties of the Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition-Nutrient intake of the 21st wintering party-

Abstract

The nutrient intake of the wintering party at Syowa Station of the 21st Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition (1980-1981) was calculated on the basis of the menu at the station. However, the snacks between meals, such as cakes, dairy products, sugar and drinks, butter and jam on bread, are not taken into account. The nutrient intake of the party was lower than the criterion recommended by the Food Sub-committee of Special Committee on Antarctic Research, Science Council of Japan in 1956. In comparison with this criterion, the actual intake for energy was 60-89%, protein 70-99% and fat 43-75%. The average intake of inorganic matters and vitamins, except calcium, was 54%. Their calcium intake was almost equivalent to the recommended, criterion, but the criterion of 1956 was lower than the value calculated from the recent dietetics and the amount required from severe Antarctic life. However, it seems that they might have taken snacks between meals, because they remaind healthy and did not lose their weight in spite of insufficient food intake as surveyed. A new standard of food intake is presented.