Serumcholesterin von Schweizer Wehrmännern und Erhebung über die Ernährung im Militärdienst

Two separate studies are reported. The first aimed at assessing the prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia in 453 military personnel who were in service in fall 1988 in a military fort. According to the risk limits of the Swiss Working Group on Lipids, the serum cholesterol values were elevated in 30% (greater than 6.5 mmol/l), in the borderline range in 31% (5.2. to 6.5 mmol/l), and only 39% had values in the ideal range (less than 5.2 mmol/l). There was a significant correlation of serum cholesterol (measured by Reflotron) with age, and the increase between age 20 and 40 was particularly remarkable (1.5 mmol/l increase). There was also a significant correlation of serum cholesterol with body weight. Only 9% of the soldiers knew their cholesterol levels before the study. One third were smokers, and 9% were hypertensive. The second aimed at analysing the consumption of food in the military service. This analysis was performed during a military service in an underground fort, where all food was controlled and known. The analysis indicated that per subject and day, 2051 kcal daily were consumed from the troup kitchen. Additional calories were consumed in the canteen (before and after the main meals) in the form of sweets, particularly as beverages. There were 1053 kcal per person and day consumed in the canteen, consisting of 39% carbohydrates, 36% fat, 15% proteins and 10% alcohol. The study demonstrates on one hand, that a significant number of military personnel demonstrates undesirably high serum cholesterol concentrations; on the other hand, the second study shows that too many calories are consumed during military service and that the foodstuff was too high in fat.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)