Eating Behaviors Are Associated with Body Composition and Physical Fitness Standards Failure Among US Army Soldiers (P21-042-19)

Abstract

US Army Soldiers must comply with body composition (BC) and physical fitness (PF) standards as a condition for military entry and retention. Whether eating behaviors are associated with meeting these standards is unknown. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the specific eating behaviors associated with failing BC and PF standards, and to characterize the eating behaviors and other habits of Soldiers who are high performers as defined by high PF scores and consistently meeting BC standards. Soldiers (N = 1460, 93% enlisted, 83% male, 23.5 ± 5.2 years of age with 3.5 ± 4.0 years of service) completed a questionnaire to assess their eating behaviors and history of compliance with BC and PF standards. Multivariate adjusted logistic regression models using maximum likelihood estimation were used to examine relationships between Soldiers’ eating behaviors and failing standards. Bivariate analysis was used to test differences between high (HP) and low performers (LP). Eating mostly (>50% of meals in last 7 days) at a dining facility lowered the odds of BC failure by 2.63 times (OR: 0.38, 95% CI: 0.22, 0.64); whereas, eating mostly Meals, Ready-to-Eat (MRE), eating at a fast rate, and ignoring fullness cues raised the odds by 2.23 times (95% CI: 1.15, 4.35), 2.65 times (95% CI: 1.18, 5.94) and 1.90 times (95% CI: 1.16, 3.11), respectively. Eating mostly at restaurants, being distracted while eating, and extreme hunger prior to meals, raised the odds of PF failure by 1.70 times (95% CI: 1.17, 2.48), 1.68 times (95% CI: 1.13, 2.51), and 1.55 times (95% CI: 1.08, 2.24), respectively. HP were significantly less likely than LP to eat mostly at restaurants (25% HP, 39% LP) and were significantly more likely than LP to report longer work hours (33% HP, 28% LP) (P < 0.05). Findings suggest that specific eating behaviors of Soldiers are associated with failing BC and PF standards. As eating behaviors may be modifiable, these findings could identify opportunities for improving the specificity of Army health promotion and education programs aimed at increasing force readiness and performance. US Army Medical Research and Materiel Command. Disclaimer: Authors’ views do not reflect official DoD or Army policy.