title: Soldier use of dietary supplements, including protein and body building supplements, in a combat zone is different than use in garrison.
abstract: United States Army personnel in garrison who are not deployed to combat theater report using dietary supplements (DSs) to promote health, increase physical and mental strength, and improve energy levels. Given the substantial physical and cognitive demands of combat, DS use may increase during deployment. This study compared DS use by garrison soldiers with DS use by personnel deployed to a combat theater in Afghanistan. Prevalence and patterns of DS use, demographic factors, and health behaviors were assessed by survey (deployed n = 221; garrison n = 1001). Eighty-two percent of deployed and 74% of garrison soldiers used DSs ≥ 1 time·week(-1). Logistic regression analyses, adjusted for significant demographic and health predictors of DS use, showed deployed personnel were more likely than garrison soldiers to use protein, amino acids, and combination products. Deployed females were more likely to use protein supplements and deployed males were more likely to use multivitamins, combination products, protein, and body building supplements than garrison respondents. Significantly more deployed (17%) than garrison (10%) personnel spent more than $50∙month(-1) on DSs. Higher protein supplement use among deployed personnel was associated with higher frequency of strength training and lower amounts of aerobic exercise for males but similar amounts of strength training and aerobic exercise for females. Protein supplements and combination products are used more frequently by deployed than garrison soldiers with the intent of enhancing strength and energy.
authors.affiliation: a Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Belcamp, MD 21017, USA.|b Military Nutrition Division, US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM), Natick, MA 01760-5007, USA.
authors.forename: Krista G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Austin
authors.affiliation: a Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Belcamp, MD 21017, USA.|c TM McLellan Research Inc., Stouffville, ON L4A 8A7, Canada.
authors.forename: Tom M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: McLellan
authors.affiliation: a Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Belcamp, MD 21017, USA.|b Military Nutrition Division, US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM), Natick, MA 01760-5007, USA.
authors.forename: Emily K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Farina
authors.affiliation: b Military Nutrition Division, US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM), Natick, MA 01760-5007, USA.
authors.forename: Susan M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: McGraw
authors.affiliation: b Military Nutrition Division, US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM), Natick, MA 01760-5007, USA.
authors.forename: Harris R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Lieberman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000596:Amino Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004522:Educational Status; D015444:Exercise; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D055070:Resistance Training; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014481:United States; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D014131:Trace Elements; D014815:Vitamins
keywords: aerobic training; différences liées au sexe; entraînement aérobie; entraînement à la force; exercice physique; exercise; guerre; militaire; military; minerals; minéraux; sex differences; strength training; vitamines; vitamins; warfare