Understanding diet and modeling changes in the omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid composition of U.S. garrison foods for active duty personnel.
Research indicates that dietary omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are important in reducing the risk of mental illness. We used the DoD Survey of Health Related Behaviors among Active Duty Military Personnel (HRBS) to assess current military dietary patterns and meal locations. We used the Lands Equation to model PUFAs in a sample Garrison diet and the nutritional impact of substitution of foods higher in omega-3 PUFAs and lower in omega-6 PUFAs on tissue composition. The military diet was very poor quality compared to 2010 Healthy People Guidelines. A representative Garrison diet does not meet our estimated healthy n-3 HUFA intake at 3.5 g/d, corresponding with a tissue composition of 60% n-3 in HUFA (i.e., 40% n-6 in HUFA). Substitution of n-3 rich eggs, poultry, pork and other food commodities, combined with use on low linoleic acid oils, may contribute significantly to attaining healthier n-6/n-3 proportions in the tissue.
Samueli Institute, 1737 King Street, Suite 600, Alexandria, VA 22314.
Bernadette P
BP
Marriott
Section of Nutritional Neurosciences, Laboratory of Membrane Biochemistryand Biophysics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, LMBB, NIAAA, NIH 5625 Fishers Lane, Rm 3N-07, MSC 9410, Bethesda, MD 20892.
Karina
K
Yu
Section of Nutritional Neurosciences, Laboratory of Membrane Biochemistryand Biophysics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, LMBB, NIAAA, NIH 5625 Fishers Lane, Rm 3N-07, MSC 9410, Bethesda, MD 20892.
Sharon
S
Majchrzak-Hong
Section of Nutritional Neurosciences, Laboratory of Membrane Biochemistryand Biophysics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, LMBB, NIAAA, NIH 5625 Fishers Lane, Rm 3N-07, MSC 9410, Bethesda, MD 20892.
Jeremiah
J
Johnson
Section of Nutritional Neurosciences, Laboratory of Membrane Biochemistryand Biophysics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, LMBB, NIAAA, NIH 5625 Fishers Lane, Rm 3N-07, MSC 9410, Bethesda, MD 20892.
Joseph R
JR
Hibbeln
D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens; D004032:Diet; D004531:Eggs / Q000032:analysis; D057140:Fast Foods; D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated / Q000032:analysis; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6 / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005504:Food Analysis; D005522:Food Services; D005527:Food, Fortified; D006801:Humans; D008889:Military Personnel; D009752:Nutritional Status; D000074262:Rapeseed Oil; D000069466:Red Meat / Q000032:analysis; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014422:Turkeys; D014481:United States
D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6; D000074262:Rapeseed Oil