Diet and serum cholesterol of lumberjacks

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Abstract
The consumption of food in five lumberjacks'' camps in eastern Finland was estimated from the book-keeping records, and by questioning the men. The mean energy value of the daily diet was 4763 kcal, 45% of which was derived from fat. By comparison, the general local population obtains 35% of its calories from fat. The daily consumption of fat was 237 g (among the general local population 105 g), 60% being derived from milk and butter, and 30% from meat. The supply of essential nutrients was in general sufficient, with the possible exception of iodine. In one camp, the supply of Ca seemed to be inadequate and the supplies of ascorbic acid and riboflavin were marginal. In spite of the unusually large consumption of fat, the serum-cholesterol level of the lumberjacks was similar to that of other males in the local population. The mean rose from 246 to 274 mg/1OOml between 20 and 59 years of age. That the serum-cholesterol level was no higher was probably due to a depression of the serum cholesterol content by heavy work. Nevertheless, a large proportion of the cholesterol values was in the range where the risk of atherosclerosis is thought to be increased. Suggestions for the improvement of the diet of the lumberjacks are made.