Dietary, physical activity, and weight management interventions among active-duty military personnel: a systematic review

Abstract Background Research has been conducted to assess the effectiveness of weight management, dietary and physical activity interventions in military settings. However, a recent and comprehensive overview is lacking. The aim of this systematic review is to examine the evidence and describe key components of effective interventions in terms of improving body composition, dietary behaviors, and physical activity among active-duty military personnel. Methods PubMed, PsycInfo, and CINAHL were searched on the 17th of November 2017 to identify interventions that promoted diet and/or physical activity among active-duty military personnel. Studies were included if they assessed outcomes related to anthropometric measurements, dietary behaviors, or fitness/physical activity levels. There were no restrictions regarding publication date, follow-up duration, and sex. After screening, a total of 136 studies were eligible. Of these studies, 38 included an educational and/or behavioral change component, and 98 had only physical or fitness training as part of basic military training. Only studies that included an educational and/or behavioral change component were assessed for quality using the Effective Public Health Practice Project tool and included in the qualitative synthesis of the results. Results Based on consistent evidence from studies that were rated as moderate or strong, there is good evidence that military weight management interventions are effective in improving body composition for durations of up to 12â months. Effective interventions are more likely to be high intensity (have a greater number of sessions), are more often delivered by specialists, and use theoretical base/behavioral change techniques and a standardized guideline. Dietary interventions can potentially reduce total fat and saturated fat intake. Dietary interventions that target the kitchen staff and/or increase the availability of healthy food are more likely to be effective in the short term. The results regarding military physical fitness interventions were inconclusive. Conclusion Despite limitations such as the diversity and heterogeneity of the included interventions, outcome measurements, and follow-up duration, this systematic review found good evidence that weight management interventions are effective, especially in terms of weight loss. More studies are needed to acquire solid evidence for effectiveness for durations longer than 12â months and to identify key components of the effective dietary and physical activity educational and/or behavioral change interventions, especially in countries outside Europe and the US.

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PID https://www.doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.4349600.v1
PID https://www.doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.4349600
URL http://dx.doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.4349600.v1
URL http://dx.doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.4349600
URL https://cris.maastrichtuniversity.nl/en/publications/02924cd8-bbb3-4548-bb3d-0963ff7422aa
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Access Right Open Access
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Author Malkawi, Ahmad M.
Author Meertens, Ree M.
Author Kremers, Stef P. J.
Author Sleddens, Ester F. C.
Contributor Promovendi NTM
Contributor Health promotion
Contributor RS: NUTRIM - R1 - Obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular health
Contributor RS: CAPHRI - R6 - Promoting Health & Personalised Care
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Collected From Datacite; NARCIS
Hosted By figshare; UM Publications
Publication Date 2018-12-24
Publisher Figshare
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Country Netherlands
Language UNKNOWN
Resource Type Collection; Other ORP type
keyword FOS: Biological sciences
keyword FOS: Health sciences
keyword FOS: Sociology
system:type other
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Source https://science-innovation-policy.openaire.eu/search/other?orpId=dedup_wf_001::ee11b7dc67c45c0e4992096ab3abee4e
Author jsonws_user
Last Updated 20 December 2020, 03:36 (CET)
Created 20 December 2020, 03:36 (CET)