STARVATION AND SURVIVAL - SOME MILITARY CONSIDERATIONS

The combination of calorie deprivation and forced evasion is a unique and severe stress. The physiologic adaptations which occur under these conditions are complex. Performance decrements and psychological chan ges are evident within 24 hours of cessation of nutritional intake. Al though marked losses of both lean tissue and total body mass are unavo idable, ultimate survival duration depends on many things. This articl e reviews some of the physiologic and pathologic changes which occur d uring total calorie deprivation and some of the factors which impact o n the ability to survive.