Attitudes toward intentional weight loss and dietary behavior among U.S. Army reserve soldiers during annual training.
OBJECTIVE
The command of a U.S. Army Reserve Combat Support Hospital designed this study to evaluate soldiers' behavior related to and attitudes toward skipping meals while on annual training (AT).


METHODS
The command administered an anonymous survey on attitudes about weight loss and weightloss behavior while on AT. Of 180 soldiers given the opportunity to respond, 100 responses were received (55%).


RESULTS
Before AT, 50% of reservists responding thought about losing weight while on AT, 62% of soldiers were trying to lose weight while on AT, and 25% of soldiers skipped meals. Soldiers who felt that they were overweight had a 2.9-fold increased risk for skipping meals, and those who thought about losing weight before AT had a 3.0-fold risk. Neither age, gender, rank, nor history of previously being on weight control was a predictor of skipping meals.


CONCLUSIONS
Most soldiers considered and tried to lose weight while at AT, and soldiers who considered themselves overweight or thought about losing weight were at increased risk for skipping meals.
Harrow
Jeffrey J
JJ
324th Combat Support Hospital, Perrine, FL 33177-2500, USA.
Cordovés
Raquel I
RI
Hulette
Robert B
RB
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003625:Data Collection; D005215:Fasting; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006772:Hospitals, Military; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D010809:Physical Fitness; D012306:Risk; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D015431:Weight Loss