Studies on the Nutritional Status and Energy Balance of Korean Women Divers

한국 해녀의 영양섭취 상태 및 에너지 균형에 관한 연구

This study was attempted to investigate Korean women divers' nutritional status and the effect of their putting on rubber diving suits on the energy balance. For these investigations, measurements of nutrients intake, energy intake and energy consumption during diving work were performed. This study was conducted in summer and winter of 1981. Nutrition survey was carried out by interviewing each individual and the energy consumption during diving work was calculated from the extra oxygen consumption over the resting value and the change in mean body temperature in sea water. The results obtained were summarized as follows : 1) In summer, the divers' dietary intake were 2,454 Kcal for energy, 69g of protein, 16g of fat 578mg of calcium, 11mg of iron, 526 Retinol Equivalent of vitamin A, 1.1mg of thiamin, 1.3mg of riboflavin, 19mg of niacin and 50mg of ascorbic acid. These results showed that the intakes of energy, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin and ascorbic acid were higher than the Korean Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA). Whereas in winter, the nutrients intake except iron, riboflavin, and vitamin A were higher than the RDA. 2) The energy consumption, measured by oxygen consumption and changes in body heat content, used in diving work were 260 Kcal per day in summer and 370 Kcal per day in winter. These values were about 600-700 Kcal per day lower than 1960s' 1,000 Kcal per day. The divers' energy intake were 2,454 Kcal per day in summer and 2,487 Kcal per day in winter. These data were about 550 Kcal per day lower than 1960s' intake. Since divers have worn the rubber diving suits, the energy consumption decreased as compared with the energy consumed while wearing cotton suits. And this seemed to be resulted in decreasing the energy intake. This result also showed that the balance between energy expenditure and energy intake were kept. 3) The mean subcutaneous fat thickness of divers and nondivers were 8.85 and 9.03 mm respectively. These values were as high as four times as those of 1960s'. The total body fat contents wers 25.8 percent in both diver and nondiver groups and showed an increase as high as twice as compared with 1960s' values.