Abstract

Eddy, T. P., Stock, Anne L., and Wheeler, Erica F. (1971).Brit. J. industr. Med.,28, 330-341. Nutritional and environmental studies on an ocean-going oil tanker. 3. Energy balances and physique. During the voyage of the oil tanker S.S. Esso Newcastle to the Persian Gulf(July to August, 1967) the average dietary intake of the whole ship's complement was measured on eight days at different periods of the voyage. In addition, the individual intakes of six subjects (three crew and three students) were measured on three occasions over periods of three days. Estimates were also made of the energy expenditures of three members of the crew and body weight and skinfold thickness were measured.

Energy expenditure balanced energy intake in two of the crew members investigated. In the third crew subject, expenditure exceeded intake and there was a slight loss of weight. Two out of the three student subjects showed a significant gain in weight by the end of the voyage.

The average calorie intake for the ship was 15·07 megajoules (MJ) (3600 kcal) per man per day (of which 13·23 MJ (3160 kcal) were derived from non-alcoholic sources). This is the United Kingdom recommended intake for very active men. Issues on the Esso Newcastle were 18·83 MJ (4500 kcal)/man/day; the difference between provision and consumption was found to be similar to that reported for Scandinavian vessels.

Though the crew tended to be heavier than British landsmen, they did not appear to be abnormally fat. Weight was attributable to muscularity.