Weight Reduction Techniques Adopted When Weight Standards are Enforced

摘要

This study examined the prevalence of weight problems in the Army and examinedthe techniques that soldiers used to lose weight when weight standards were enforced. Analysis of 1069 questionnaires from U.S. Army soldiers showed that only 2.8% of the soldiers had participated within the last year in the Army Weight Control Program (AWCP). However, 57.8% of all the soldiers had attempted to lose weight at some time in their life; 16.7% were overweight according to the Army's Maximum Allowable Weight standards, and 85.9% considered themselves to be overweight according to their personal ideal weight. About 13.6% had attempted to lose weight before 18 years of age, which indicates long-term weight problems; 65.9% of all soldiers had gained weight since joining the Army. The weight change was an 8.7+19.3 lb (mean+SD) weight gain. Weight concerns appear to be a lifetime problem starting long before some soldiers join the Army, affecting more soldiers than those identified by the AWCP and possibly developing during a career in the Army. Nutrition/education programs should begin during Basic Training and continue annually to catch those who have been attempting to lose weight since childhood and to prevent the weight gain that appears to be inevitable with aging and a career in the Army.... Nutrition, Weight reduction, Army weight control program, Nutrition education.