title: Obesity and associated adverse health outcomes among US military members and veterans: Findings from the millennium cohort study.
abstract: To assess the prevalence of obesity and associated health outcomes among US service members and veterans.
  
  
  
  Data from three survey cycles (2001-2008) of the Millennium Cohort Study were used to examine the prevalence of obesity and associated health outcomes.
  
  
  
  Of the 42,200 individuals, 25% were of normal weight in 2007/2008. Rates of obesity were significantly higher among veterans (32%) compared with service members (20%). Over a 7-year period, obesity rates doubled among both service members (10%-20%) and veterans (14%-32%). Participants with obesity were significantly more likely to be male, older, less educated, in the Army or Navy, and separated/retired from the military. Hypertension, diabetes, and sleep apnea were significantly more common among individuals with obesity compared with participants with normal weight (all P < 0.05). Individuals with obesity also had significantly higher rates of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder than individuals with normal weight and had lower mental and physical functional scores (all P < 0.05).
  
  
  
  These findings indicate an urgent need to enhance strategies for preventing and reducing excess weight gain within the military and veteran populations. Such strategies should aim to ensure a fit military force and promote health after military service.
authors.affiliation: Division of Epidemiology Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA.|Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California, USA.|Deployment Health Research Department, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, California, USA.
authors.forename: Toni
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rush
authors.affiliation: Deployment Health Research Department, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, California, USA.
authors.forename: Cynthia A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: LeardMann
authors.affiliation: Division of Epidemiology Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA.|Deployment Health Research Department, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, California, USA.|Scripps Mercy Hospital, San Diego, California, USA.
authors.forename: Nancy F
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: Crum-Cianflone
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D015995:Prevalence; D012891:Sleep Apnea Syndromes / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*