Military Health Behaviors: Promotion of Healthy Weight and Fitness in Career Personnel

摘要

The specific aims of this research project are: 1) development of the Military Soldier Fitness Database, a computer-based data collection system that can be used to record & track the results of the Army Physical Fitness tests and measurements of body weight/fatness across time, 2) development of an environmental/Internet-based intervention to promote healthy weight through proper nutrition and physical fitness, and 3) test of the efficacy of and consumer satisfaction with the environmental/Internet-based intervention in a single population, i.e., Soldiers at Fort Bragg, NC. These aims fit into a three phase project completion plan. The research team from Pennington Biomedical Research Center (PBRC) has completed phases 1 and 2 of this three phase project. In Phase 1, the PBRC team studied the unique needs of the military as they pertain to the primary aims. Guided by the Executive Committee, a prototype for the computerized database was established and the architectural design of the Internet-based intervention developed. In Phase 2, PBRC personnel developed, refined, & pilot-tested the MSFD and the Internet program. Phase 3, which includes a controlled evaluation of the environmental/Internet-based intervention, has been completed. The environmental/Internet-based program was implemented in July 2006 and data are being collected via the Internet-based program through the end of July 2008. The primary endpoints of the Intervention were to determine consumer satisfaction with the program and the amount of Internet activity.