Adequate nutrition is very essential, especially for the Armed Forces, to buildup their nutritional reserves while deriving maximum benefits of training/peak performances in operational situations by keeping their morale high. The present study reviews/examines the adequacy of the existing ration scales of the Armed Forces personnel stationed under different terrain conditions of the country/recruits at various training centres. Food samples were collected from different strategic locations during different seasons of the year and analysed for their nutrient composition like proximal constituents, vitamins A, E, B 1 , B 2 , C, and dietary fibre. Based on the data generated, the daily nutrients/energy consumption by the soldiers/recruits, were calculated separately both for personnel in plains and at high altitudes. Soldiers in plains, on an average consumed protein 124.2 + 13.0 g, fat 98.8 + 29.6 g and energy 3632+317 kcal/person/day, while their counterparts at high altitudes consumed protein 120.4 + 11.2 g, fat 120.1 + 31.1 g, and energy 3906 + 423 kcal/person/day. The study clearly indicate that the present ration scales for the Service personnel, both in plains and at high altitudes (9000 ft to 15000 ft) is adequate wrt their nutrient density. It is however suggested to ensure adequate supply of good quality fresh vegetables, fruits, and meat, which inturn would not only help to keep the morale of the soldiers, high and cheerful, especially at high altitudes, but will also enable adequate micronutrient availability. The fibre levels in the diets of these soldiers have also been found to be well within the limits (20 -35 g/ person/ day) recommended for optimal health.

Objective: The main aim of this study was to determine the content of fluoride in drinking water from sources within the sampling areas for the National Oral Health Survey (NOHS) 2011 from the Central, Northern, Western and Eastern Divisions in the Fiji Islands.Method: Drinking water samples were collected from taps, a waterfall, wells, creeks, streams, springs, rivers, boreholes and rain water tanks in a diverse range of rural and urban areas across the Fiji Islands. A total of 223 areas were sampled between December 2014 and June 2015. Samples were analysed for fluoride using a colorimetric assay with the Zirconyl-SPADNS Reagent. The samples were pre-treated with sodium arsenite solution prior to analysis to eliminate interference from chlorine.Results: Measured fluoride concentrations ranged from 0.01 to 0.35 ppm, with a mean concentration across all samples of 0.03 + 0.04 ppm. No samples achieved the optimal level for caries prevention (0.7 ppm). The Western Division had the highest fluoride levels compared to the other Divisions. The highest single fluoride concentration was found in Valase. The drinking water for this rural area located in the Western Division is from a borehole. The lowest concentrations of fluoride were in reticulated water samples from rural areas in the Central Division, which were consistently less than those recorded in the Northern, Eastern and Western Divisions. Conclusion:All samples had fluoride concentrations below the optimum level required to prevent dental caries. Implications for public health:This research forms part of the objectives of the 2011 National Oral Health Survey in Fiji. At present, Fiji lacks water fluoridation and therefore a baseline of the fluoride content in drinking water supplies is essential before water fluoridation is implemented. The results from this study would be beneficial in designing caries-preventive strategies through water fluoridation and for comparing those strategies with caries prevalence overtime.