Nutrient Intake of the Repatriated United States Army, Navy and Marine Corps Prisoners-of-War of the Vietnam War

Documentation of dietary and nutrient intake of the Army and Navy (including Marine) personnel from the United States, who were prisoners-of-war (POWs) in North and South Vietnam, has been limited to reports obtained from 241 repatriated men whose time in prison ranged from a few months to nine years. During Operation Homecoming (January-March 1973), the United States Army Medical Research and Nutrition Laboratory was requested to collect dietary and nutrient data (on forms designed by the Center of POW Studies). Military dietitians obtained dietary histories from the men during the period of their medical evaluations and debriefings immediately after their return to CONUS. A total of 1190 diets, an average of 5 per man, were described. Daily nutrient intake was computed for each diet with the use of the laboratory's Nutrient Factor File. The nutrient intakes varied greatly; time in captivity, location, and health or punishment status were factors. Accurate histories could not be obtained because of communication problems (long recall periods, diversity of quantities and ingredients, limited time for interviews). Diets were divided by three components--a staple (i.e., rice, bread), soup, and a side dish (e.g., fish, meat, fruit, or vegetable which was served in later years). Data were not appropriate to submit for statistical analysis. Standard deviations from the mean reflect the great variations between prisoners and individually between time intervals. Nutrient intakes were low but not severe except for energy. POWs in the South had lower intakes and poorer diets than the prisoners in the North.