Background: 80% of Finnish men fill their civic duty and complete military service. Conscripts' dietary habits have been studied limitedly.
Objective: The aim was to determine conscripts' nutrient intake and food use in garrison, on leave, and in encampment conditions.
Methods: This study examined volunteer conscripts in: (1) garrison and leave conditions (n=47) and (2) encampment conditions (n=31). Data were collected using food diaries.
Results: The proportion of energy derived from fat was 32.9% at garrison and 36.5% at encampment and on leave. Saturated fat constituted 12.5 energy % at garrison, 15.0 energy % at encampment, and 15.3 energy % on leave. Sucrose intake was high at encampment (17.7 energy %) and on leave (13.0 energy %). Salt, vitamin, and mineral intakes exceeded national recommendations in all conditions. Fiber intakes did not reach recommendations.
Conclusions: At garrison and encampment, nutrient intakes reached recommendations. In free time, conscripts favored energy-rich nutrient-poor foods, which warrants intervening and dietary education.