80% of Finnish men fill their civic duty and complete military service. Conscripts' dietary habits have been studied limitedly.
The aim was to determine conscripts' nutrient intake and food use in garrison, on leave, and in encampment conditions.
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.
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.
At garrison and encampment, nutrient intakes reached recommendations. In free time, conscripts favored energy-rich nutrient-poor foods, which warrants intervening and dietary education.