Adequacy of diet with respect to vitamin status of Indian paramilitary soldiers

Abstract

Paramilitary forces of India are involved in country’s internal and border security during peace time. Nutritional adequacy is important for security personnel to maintain optimal health. Increased physical activity increases requirement of protective nutrients like vitamins and minerals. The present study was conducted on 100 participants from a BSF unit deployed in hot humid riverine frontier for a period of three months. Energy intake was 3500 kcal/d calculated from their 24-hour dietary recall and energy expenditure was 3348 kcal/d recorded using Actical® activity monitors. Vitamin concentrations in food, plasma and urine samples were analyzed using Reverse phase-HPLC (RP-HPLC). Vitamin concentrations in plasma samples of moderately active participants was changed significantly (p