Energy intakes on sledging expeditions

Abstract

1. Previous measurements of energy intake on sledging journeys in Antarctica have given a mean intake of 14.2 MJ (Acheson, 1974; Campbell, 1975), markedly lower than values reported earlier (see Edholm & Goldsmith, 1966). The technique used (individual weighed-diet survey) was more detailed and could be assumed to be more accurate than most of the earlier work where intakes had been largely inferred from the known energy content of food boxes. In the present study an individual weighed-diet survey was carried out on male subjects during a summer manhauling journey on the east coast of Greenland.2. Mean daily energy intake of six subjects over 33 d travelling was 16.5 MJ. Mean weight loss was 2.3 kg, probably accounted for entirely by fat loss. Weight loss occurred despite the presence of excess food. Mean daily energy intake rose gradually but persistently over the 5 weeks of the journey despite a constant level of activity and to 20.1 MJ during the 4 d rest at the end of the journey.3. Intakes were thus higher than those found in the earlier Antarctic studies (Acheson, 1974; Campbell, 1975) but not as high as intakes reported previously (see Edholm & Goldsmith, 1966). The fact that weight loss occurred despite the presence of excess food was ascribed to the monotonous nature of the diet. The fact that energy intake rose persistently over the 5-week study period may imply that a new state of balance of intake and expenditure was reached.