An Evaluation of the Ration, Cold Weather, April 1985

• Main Authors: Mastromarino, A C, Loveridge, V A
• Other Authors: ARMY NATICK RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT AND ENGINEERING CENTER MA
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1986
• Subjects: Anatomy and Physiology; Food; Food Service and Nutrition; Stress Physiology; *ARCTIC REGIONS; *ARMY TRAINING; *FOOD CONSUMPTION; *RATIONS; BODY FLUIDS; COLD WEATHER; DEHYDRATED FOODS; DRINKING WATER; ENVIRONMENTAL TESTS; FREEZE DRIED FOODS; MILITARY RATIONS; PE62724A; WU136; Arctic; Alaska
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA170407; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA170407

A field test evaluation of the prototype of the Ration, Cold Weather (Arctic Ration) utilized troops from Charlie Company 6,327th Infantry Battalion, Fort Wainwright, Alaska from 12-16 April 1985. This evaluation assessed the acceptability and consumption of the Ration as well as water availability and body fluid status by means of questionnaires and consumption diaries. While 50 men consumed the Ration, an additional 50 controls consumed B Rations, Meal, Ready-to-Eat, Individuals, and supplemental items. Results showed that in general the Ration, Cold Weather meals was acceptable to the men; however, they were slightly dissatisfied with ease of preparation, meal-to-meal variety, and portion sizes. Despite the low average caloric intake, test subjects had no significant weight gain/loss as compared to the control group. Water availability was low, resulting in lack of water for dehydration and in insufficient water intake. Low intake appeared to be partly due to poor water discipline.