Survey of the Navy's Three-Tiered Remedial Weight-Management Program.

摘要

The purpose of this study was to gain descriptive information about the Navy's diverse, 3-tiered obesity treatment programs. Questionnaires concerning enrollment policies and procedures, and program demography, elements, and management were mailed to a stratified random sample of Level I (command-directed) programs, and to all Level II (counseling centers) and Level III (inpatient) treatment facilities. Average program enrollment was about 10-15 participants per treatment group at all three levels. Level I programs relied primarily on group exercise to treat obesity; most Level II and HI programs were modeled on Overeaters Anonymous and devoted substantial amounts of time to group discussion, behavior modification, and nutrition education. Although Level I participants included physical fitness test (PRT) failures as well as overeaters, nearly 63% of the enrollees were overfat or obese, and about 6% of those were referred to a Level Ill or III program. Lack of funding or staffing prevented many Level II facilities from conducting a weight-management program, however, leaving basically two options for obese individuals seeking help: remedial conditioning exercise routines at Level 1, or six weeks of impatient therapy at Level III. Further research might explore the potential for Level II to provide a cost-effective middle ground for obesity treatment. Weight Management Programs, Obesity Treatment, Navy Personnel, Survey, Physical Fitness.