title: Attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors of active duty soldiers attending the ArmyMOVE! weight management program.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The objective of this study was to assess the attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors of Active Duty Soldiers attending the ArmyMOVE! (AM!) weight management program at three locations in Texas.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 40-question survey on weight-loss attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors was administered to participants before receiving the AM! education.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The response rate was 82.8% (n = 312). The sample was predominantly obese (64.3%), male (81.7%), and enlisted (95.3%). Only 30% were able to correctly identify their weight status using body mass index. The majority felt that weight standards were achievable (47%) and were confident in their ability to make diet (88.8%) and exercise (87.5%) changes; though most felt the tape test was not an accurate measure of body composition (71.5%). Soldiers reported using suboptimal weight-loss behaviors including diet pills (48.7%), sweat suits/saunas (44.9%), fasting (45.3%), and herbal supplements (31.1%), whereas the majority were not achieving proven recommendations for weight loss including adequate fruit (57%) and vegetable (93%) intake and adequate sleep duration (80%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This survey demonstrated AM! participants are using suboptimal methods of weight loss, few are following the Army Surgeon General's guidelines for nutrition and sleep, and an increased intensity of the AM! program is desired by the participants.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutritional Medicine, Brooke Army Medical Center, 3551 Roger Brooke Drive, Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234.
authors.forename: Brittney M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Piche
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutritional Medicine, Brooke Army Medical Center, 3551 Roger Brooke Drive, Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234.
authors.forename: Susan M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Stankorb
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutritional Medicine, Brooke Army Medical Center, 3551 Roger Brooke Drive, Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234.
authors.forename: Marybeth
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salgueiro
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D061217:Weight Reduction Programs; D055815:Young Adult