Individual Differences and Short-Term Military Factors Associated With Unhealthy Weight Control Behaviors Among Active Duty and Reserve Army Soldiers

摘要

Studies have demonstrated an associative link between anxiety about passing mandated military weight standards and unhealthy weight loss behaviors (WLB) (Carlton, Manos, & Van Slyke, 2005; Lauder, Williams, Campbell, Davis, & Sherman 1999). This study assessed the impact of individual and demographic differences disordered eating cognitions, and military weight standard-related factors on unhealthy WLB in 871 Army Active Duty and Reserve soldiers. Most of the participants were Caucasian (44.4%), male (68.3%), Active Duty (62.1%) soldiers. Over a third of participants (35.6%) reported engaging in unhealthy WLB to prepare for military weighins and over a quarter (29%) reported engaging in long-term unhealthy WLB. Other than gender, individual differences were largely unassociated with unhealthy WLB. Psychological factors, a history of failing weight standards, or current concern about failing standards were associated with unhealthy WLB. The implications of unhealthy weight loss behaviors and the impact of military environment on health behaviors is discussed.