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

• Main Authors: Williamson, Donald A, Stewart, Tiffany M, Ryan, Donna H, Allen, H R, Bathalon, Gaston P, Sigrist, Lori, Burrell, Lolita M
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Subjects: ARMY PERSONNEL; BEHAVIOR; BODY FAT; BODY WEIGHT; DATA ACQUISITION; DATA BASES; HEALTH; Information Science; MEDICAL RESEARCH; NUTRITION; Personnel Management and Labor Relations; PHYSICAL FITNESS

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 and 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 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 was developed. In Phase 2 PBRC personnel developed refined and pilot-tested the MSFD and the Internet-based program. Phase 3 which includes a controlled evaluation of the environmental/Internet-based intervention is currently in progress. The environmental/Internet-based program was implemented in July 2006 and data are being collected via the Internet-based program. The primary endpoints of the Intervention will be to determine consumer satisfaction with the program and the amount of Internet activity on the website. The original document contains color images.