Positive and Negative Health Behaviors Used to Ensure Compliance with the U.S. Army's Weight Control Standards by a Reserve Component Unit

Abstract

This paper describes the results of a nonexperimental descriptive research study in which specific positive and negative health behaviors used by soldiers in a medical reserve unit to ensure compliance with the Army Weight Control standards were surveyed using a questionnaire. The findings of the survey, particularly the prevalent use of negative health behaviors to control or maintain weight, were startling. The authors offer their conclusions and propose solutions relative to changing the emphasis of the program from having a single focus, i.e., weight control, to a comprehensive focus, i.e., physical fitness and wellness.