A Food-Based Intervention in a Military Dining Facility Improves Blood Fatty Acid Profile.

Enhancing dietary omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids (n-3 HUFA) intake may confer neuroprotection, brain resiliency, improve wound healing and promote cardiovascular health. This study determined the efficacy of substituting a few common foods (chicken meat, chicken sausage, eggs, salad dressings, pasta sauces, cooking oil, mayonnaise, and peanut butter) lower in omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-6 PUFA) and higher in n-3 HUFA in a dining facility on blood fatty acid profile. An eight-week prospective, between-subjects ( = 77), repeated measures, parallel-arm trial was conducted.

Healthy Eating Score-7 as a Measure of Diet Quality in a Military Population.

Objective: Identify potential revisions to the Healthy Eating Score (HES-5) that improve associations with the Healthy Eating Index (HEI) -2015 total and component scores.

Methods: Pearson r correlations were determined from soldiers' (n = 433) survey data, including the HES, proposed additional questions, and the Block Food Frequency Questionnaire.

Results: Adding sugar-sweetened beverages and energy drink questions (HES-7) strengthened the HES and HEI-2015 correlation (HES-5; r = 0.

Weight management behaviours mediate the relationship between weight cycling, BMI and diet quality among US Army Soldiers.

Weight cycling is prevalent in sports/professions with body composition standards, and has been associated with weight management behaviours that may contribute to suboptimal diet quality and weight gain. US Army Soldiers may be at increased risk of weight cycling relative to civilians due to mandated body composition standards. However, the relationship between weight cycling, weight management behaviours, BMI and diet quality among Soldiers is unknown.

Randomized trial of a novel lifestyle intervention compared with the Diabetes Prevention Program for weight loss in adult dependents of military service members.

Background: Lifestyle interventions are the first-line treatment for obesity, but participant weight loss is typically low.

Objectives: We evaluated the efficacy of an alternative lifestyle intervention [Healthy Weight for Living (HWL)] compared with a modified Diabetes Prevention Program (m-DPP). HWL was based on a revised health behavior change model emphasizing hunger management and the development of healthy food preferences.

Development and Validation of the Military Eating Behavior Survey.

Objective: To describe the Military Eating Behavior Survey (MEBS), developed, and validated for use in military populations.

Design: Questionnaire development using a 6-phase approach that included item generation, subject matter expert review, cognitive interviewing, factor analysis, test-retest reliability testing, and parallel forms testing.

Setting: US Army soldiers were surveyed at 8 military bases from 2016 to 2019 (n = 1,561).

Exceeding body composition standards is associated with a more negative body image and increased weight cycling in active duty U.S. soldiers.

Negative body image is more often identified in individuals with overweight or obesity. More than 65% of U.S.

Eating Behaviors Are Associated With Physical Fitness and Body Composition Among US Army Soldiers.

Objective: Examine associations between soldiers' eating behaviors, compliance with body composition and fitness standards, and physical performance.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Eight Army installations.

Dietary Supplement Use in US Army Personnel: A Mixed-Methods, Survey and Focus-Group Study Examining Decision Making and Factors Associated With Use.

Background: Dietary supplement (DS) use by Army personnel is high and is a safety and readiness issue.

Objective: Our aim was to examine factors motivating use of DSs among US Army personnel and preferred safety education strategies.

Design: This mixed-method study used a validated DS questionnaire and subsequent focus groups that were formed based on questionnaire-identified demographic characteristics.

Caffeine, Energy Beverage Consumption, Fitness, and Sleep in U.S. Army Aviation Personnel.

Caffeine-containing products and dietary supplements are widely used by military populations, but little is known about their use by aviation personnel. This study assessed self-reported sleep, fitness, work-schedules, and caffeine/energy drink use. A standardized survey was conducted in person by study personnel using tablet computers.

Body weight status, perceived stress, and emotional eating among US Army Soldiers: A mediator model.

Background: In civilians, overweight and obesity are associated with emotional eating behaviors such as eating in response to stress, but this association has not been examined in Soldiers, a population with unique stressors. This cross-sectional study examined the relationship between perceived stress (PS), emotional eating (EE), and outcomes of body mass index (BMI), and failing Army body composition (BC) standards among Soldiers.

Methods: Soldiers (N = 1460, 83% male, 23.

A Survey Instrument to Assess Intake of Dietary Supplements, Related Products, and Caffeine in High-Use Populations.

Substantial data on the use of dietary supplements by the general adult population are available, but many population subgroups have not been extensively studied. Because military service members and young people consume large amounts of dietary supplements, including for enhancement of physical performance, weight control, and bodybuilding, which can be dangerous, we developed a comprehensive questionnaire to characterize patterns of supplement use in these and other populations. The questionnaire has been used to study >7000 military service members and 1000 college students.

Performance Nutrition Dining Facility Intervention Improves Special Operations Soldiers' Diet Quality and Meal Satisfaction.

Objective: To assess the impact of the Special Operations Forces Human Performance Program dining facility (DFAC) intervention on patron diet quality and meal satisfaction.

Design: Nonrandomized, controlled time series study using digital food photography and surveys pre-post intervention (0, 4, 8, and 12 months).

Setting: Two Fort Bragg, NC military installation DFACs.

Personality Traits and Occupational Demands Are Linked to Dietary Supplement Use in Soldiers: A Cross-sectional Study of Sensation Seeking Behaviors.

Introduction: Military personnel use dietary supplements (DS) more frequently and in a higher quantity than the general population. Patterns of DS used and the motivation for use among the military population are different than those of the civilian population. Soldiers are much more likely to use potentially dangerous DS purported to enhance physical performance and/or promote weight loss in spite of limited evidence regarding the safety and efficacy of these products.

Digital food photography technology improves efficiency and feasibility of dietary intake assessments in large populations eating ad libitum in collective dining facilities.

Background: Accurate assessment of dietary intake continues to challenge researchers, especially in field, or non-laboratory settings.

Objective: In this study, digital food photography (DFP) methodology was used to assess nutritional intake (NI) of Soldiers participating in the US Army's Ranger Selection and Assessment Program (RASP).

Methods: During this high-intensity six-week course, Soldiers complete simulated operational missions, perform various military tasks, and importantly, eating time is severely limited.

Caffeine consumption among active duty United States Air Force personnel.

Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) indicated that 89% of Americans regularly consumed caffeinated products, but these data did not include military personnel. This cross-sectional study examined caffeine consumption prevalence, amount of daily consumption, and factors associated with caffeine intake in active duty United States (US) Air Force personnel. Service members (N = 1787) stationed in the US and overseas completed a detailed questionnaire describing their intake of caffeine-containing products in addition to their demographic, lifestyle, and military characteristics.

Adherence to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans Is Associated with Psychological Resilience in Young Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: The 2010 Healthy Eating Index (HEI-2010), a measure of diet quality, is used to quantify adherence to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Better HEI scores have been associated with positive health outcomes; however, the relationship between diet quality and psychological resilience, a mental health attribute for coping with adversity, has not been assessed.

Objective: The objective of the present study was to assess the relationship between diet quality and psychological resilience, and the relationship between resilience and demographics, anthropometrics, socioeconomic status, and health behavior.

Longitudinal trends in use of dietary supplements by U.S. Army personnel differ from those of civilians.

Prevalence and patterns of dietary supplement (DS) use by U.S. Army soldiers differ from the civilian population.

Caffeine Use among Active Duty Navy and Marine Corps Personnel.

Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) indicate 89% of Americans regularly consume caffeine, but these data do not include military personnel. This cross-sectional study examined caffeine use in Navy and Marine Corps personnel, including prevalence, amount of daily consumption, and factors associated with use. A random sample of Navy and Marine Corps personnel was contacted and asked to complete a detailed questionnaire describing their use of caffeine-containing substances, in addition to their demographic, military, and lifestyle characteristics.

Demographic, Lifestyle Factors, and Reasons for Use of Dietary Supplements by Air Force Personnel.

Background: Dietary supplement (DS) use is common among U.S. Army personnel to purportedly improve health, provide energy, and increase strength.

Soldier use of dietary supplements, including protein and body building supplements, in a combat zone is different than use in garrison.

United States Army personnel in garrison who are not deployed to combat theater report using dietary supplements (DSs) to promote health, increase physical and mental strength, and improve energy levels. Given the substantial physical and cognitive demands of combat, DS use may increase during deployment. This study compared DS use by garrison soldiers with DS use by personnel deployed to a combat theater in Afghanistan.

Predictors of Dietary Supplement Use by U.S. Coast Guard Personnel.

Background: Personnel in Armed Forces entities such as the US Coast Guard (USCG) engage in strenuous tasks requiring high levels of physiological and psychological fitness. Previous reports have found increased prevalence of dietary supplement (DS) use by military personnel to meet the demands of their occupation.

Objective: This study assessed DS prevalence and patterns of use in USCG personnel and compared these findings to reports from other Armed Forces personnel.

Effects of winter military training on energy balance, whole-body protein balance, muscle damage, soreness, and physical performance.

Physiological consequences of winter military operations are not well described. This study examined Norwegian soldiers (n = 21 males) participating in a physically demanding winter training program to evaluate whether short-term military training alters energy and whole-body protein balance, muscle damage, soreness, and performance. Energy expenditure (D2(18)O) and intake were measured daily, and postabsorptive whole-body protein turnover ([(15)N]-glycine), muscle damage, soreness, and performance (vertical jump) were assessed at baseline, following a 4-day, military task training phase (MTT) and after a 3-day, 54-km ski march (SKI).

Multivitamin and protein supplement use is associated with positive mood states and health behaviors in US Military and Coast Guard personnel.

Approximately 60% of Armed Forces personnel regularly consume dietary supplements (DSs). We investigated the association of mood and health behaviors with multiple classes of DSs in military and Coast Guard personnel (N = 5536). Participants completed a survey of DS use and the Quick Mood Scale to assess mood domains of wakeful-drowsiness, relaxed-anxious, cheerful-depressed, friendly-aggression, clearheaded-confused, and well coordinated-clumsy.

Energy requirements of US Army Special Operation Forces during military training.

Special Operations Forces (SOF) regularly engage in physically demanding combat operations and field training exercises, resulting in high daily energy expenditure, and thus increased energy requirements. However, the majority of studies assessing energy requirements of SOF have been conducted on soldiers going through intense SOF initiation training. The objective of the current investigation was to determine the energy expenditure of SOF conducting military training operations.

Pilot study to determine interest of adult civilian dependents of active duty military personnel in participation in a weight control program.

Adult civilian dependents of active duty military personnel (ADMP) may play a central role in influencing the home food environment and the risk of overweight and obesity in American Warfighters and military families. However, there is no information on whether this group would be receptive to weight control programs. We conducted a survey to determine the level of interest of adult civilian dependents of ADMP in participating in a group weight control program.