Risk factors associated with higher body fat in US Army female soldiers.
Increased body fat among US Soldiers is a continuing challenge that contributes to increased health risks and decreased combat readiness. Factors contributing to higher body fat among US Army female Soldiers have been minimally investigated.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the risk factors associated with exceeding US Army body fat standards among active duty women in a light infantry brigade. Investigated risk factors include personal characteristics, physical training, physical fitness, and injury history.


METHODS
Data were obtained by survey from women in 3 US Army infantry brigades. Body fat percentage was calculated, and the women were categorized as either meeting or exceeding the maximum Army body fat standard of 30% for ages 17-20, 32% for ages 21-27, 34% for ages 28-39, and 36% for age 40 years or more. Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) results were converted into tertiles (T), where T1=lowest 1/3 of performance and T3=highest 1/3 of performance. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated from a multivariate analysis assessing risk associated with exceeding the Army body fat standards.


RESULTS
Among the women surveyed (n=629), 22% exceeded Army body fat standards. Higher risk of being above the Army standard was associated with older age (≥29 years / ≤23 years) (OR=47, 95% CI, 1.24-4.92), and poor aerobic fitness (APFT 2-mile run) (T1/T3) OR=6.11, 95% CI, 2.62-14.24), (T1/T2) OR=2.66, 95% CI, 1.12-6.33). A marginal association was found for poor muscular strength (APFT sit-ups) (T1/T3).


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that women who are older, and/or have poor aerobic fitness are more likely to exceed the maximum Army body fat standards.
US Army Public Health Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD.
Morgan K
MK
Anderson
Tyson
T
Grier
Michelle
M
Canham-Chervak
Timothy T
TT
Bushman
Bruce H
BH
Jones
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000502:physiology*; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008887:Military Medicine; D008889:Military Personnel; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D012016:Reference Values; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult