Early Exposure to Animals and Childhood Body Mass Index Percentile and Percentage Fat Mass.

Introduction: A few studies have identified childhood animal exposure as associated with adiposity, but results are inconsistent and differ in timing.

Methods: We conducted an observational cohort study of children ages 4-8 in the Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes [ECHO] study. The main exposure was having a dog in the home and/or regular contact with farm animals during the first year of life.

A prospective investigation of injury incidence and risk factors among army recruits in combat engineer training.

Background: United States Army combat engineer (ENG) training is an intense 14-week course designed to introduce new recruits to basic soldiering activities, Army values and lifestyle, and engineering skills and knowledge. The present investigation examined injury rates and injury risk factors in ENG training.

Methods: At the start of their training, 1,633 male ENG recruits were administered a questionnaire containing items on date of birth, height, weight, tobacco use, prior physical activity, and injury history.

A prospective investigation of injury incidence and injury risk factors among Army recruits in military police training.

Background: United States Army military police (MP) training is a 19-week course designed to introduce new recruits to basic soldiering skills, Army values and lifestyle, and law enforcement skills and knowledge. The present investigation examined injury rates and injury risk factors in MP training.

Methods: At the start of training, 1,838 male and 553 female MP recruits were administered a questionnaire containing items on date of birth, height, weight, tobacco use, prior physical activity, injury history, and menstrual history.