Nutritional Needs in Hot Environments

Examines the state of knowledge concerning the influence of a hot environment on nutrient requirements of military personnel. This volume provides a review of the literature in this area and interprets the diverse data in terms of military applications. It focuses on specific nutrient needs in hot climates.

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This volume examines the current state of knowledge concerning the influence of a hot environment on nutrient requirements of military personnel. A parallel concern is ensuring that performance does not decline as a result of inadequate nutrition.


The committee provides a thorough review of the literature in this area and interprets the diverse data in terms of military applications. In addition to a focus on specific nutrient needs in hot climates, the committee considers factors that might change food intake patterns and therefore overall calories. Although concern for adequate nutrition for U.S. soldiers in Saudi Arabia prompted the initiation of this project, its scope includes the nutrient needs of individuals who may be actively working in both hot-dry and hot-moist climates.


Table of Contents


Front Matter
Part I: Committee Summary and Recommendations
1. Introduction and Backgrounds
2. Conclusions and Recommendations
Part II: Invited Presentations
3. Physiological Responses to Excercise in Heat
4. Effects of Excercise and Heat on Gastrointestinal Function
5. Water Requirements During Excercise in the Heat
6. Energetics and Climate with Emphasis on Heat: A Historical
Perspective
7. The Effect of Excercise and Heat on Mineral Metabolism and
Requirements
8. The Effect of Excercise and Heat on Vitamin Requirements
9. Heat as a Factor in the Perception of Taste, Smell, and Oral
Sensation
10. Effects of Heat on Appetite
11. Situational Influences on Food Intake
Part III: U.S. Army Presentations: A Reevaluation of Sodium
Requirements for Work in the Heat
12. Responses of Soldiers to 4-gram and 8-gram NaCl Diets During 10
Days of Heat Acclimation
13. Endocrinological Responses to Dietary Salt Restriction During
Heat Acclimation
14. Subjective Reports of Heat Illness
Part IV: Committee Discussion Paper
15. Food Intake, Appetite, and Work in Hot Environments
Appendixes
Appendix A: Military Recommended Dietary Allowances, AR 25-40; 1985
Appendix B: Nutritional Needs in Hot Environments -- A Selected
Bibliography
Appendix C: Biographical Sketches
Index