Objective: Eating disorders (EDs) are mental illnesses impacting all aspects of an individual's life. Recent research has examined EDs and disordered-eating behaviors in the military, a population subject to body composition standards, fitness requirements, and extreme stress. The purpose of this narrative review was to investigate ED and disordered-eating prevalence and their risk factors in ROTC (reserve officers' training corps), active-duty, and veteran servicemembers. The secondary purpose was to provide policy recommendations to reduce the burden of these conditions in the military.
Methods: PubMed and PsycINFO were reviewed for relevant articles. All studies including data on EDs or disordered eating in U.S. active-duty, ROTC, or veteran populations were considered.
Results: Results revealed a high burden of EDs and disordered eating with bulimic- and binge-type behaviors being the most common. Servicemembers exposed to trauma, including military sexual assault, and those with comorbidities like PTSD showed a higher prevalence. Body composition and fitness testing were also associated with a higher risk. Qualitative studies suggest these conditions serve as coping mechanisms for aspects of military life.
Conclusions: The high prevalence of EDs and disordered eating in the military points toward the importance of identification, treatment, and prevention. Policy change is necessary to protect servicemembers.
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