ASSESSMENT OF DIETARY INTAKES OF CADETS AT THE US-MILITARY-ACADEMY-AT-WEST-POINT

Objective: A study was conducted at the US Military Academy, West Poin t, NY, to assess the nutritional adequacy of menus and dietary intakes of the cadets and to determine the effect of the optional weekday eve ning meal policy on nutrient intakes. Methods: Dietary intakes were ob tained over a 7-day period using a diary-interview technique. Voluntee r cadets, 118 males and 86 females, recorded their own intakes and wer e interviewed by dietitians to verify food records. Cadets were catego rized by gender and divided into three groups based on whether they co nsumed 0-1, 2-3, or 4-5 weekday evening meals in the Cadet Mess. Resul ts: Multivariate methods were used to assess compliance with Military Recommended Dietary Allowances (MRDA) and nutrient densities as well a s the role of gender, number of weekday evening meals consumed in the West Point Cadet Mess, and the use of nutritional supplements during t he study week. The number of weekday evening meals consumed in the Cad et Mess, was positively correlated with the nutrient intakes of the ca det groups. The female 0-1 group had the highest proportion of individ uals with mean intakes providing < 70% MRDA for vitamin B-6, folate, v itamin A, magnesium, or zinc. Snacks provided from 24% to 32% of the e nergy intakes of the female groups and were often substituted for meal s, particularly by cadets who ate the fewest meals in the Cadet Mess. Conclusions: Diet counseling is recommended to help these cadets choos e more nutritious meals and snacks. University and college students th at choose not to purchase some of their meals from campus dining facil ities could have similar dietary intake patterns and nutritional short comings.