Fatty Acid Blood Levels, Vitamin D Status, Physical Performance, Activity, and Resiliency: A Novel Potential Screening Tool for Depressed Mood in Active Duty Soldiers.
This study examined whether blood fatty acid levels, vitamin D status, and/or physical activity are associated with physical fitness scores; a measure of mood, Patient Health Questionnaire-9; and a measure of resiliency, Dispositional Resiliency Scale-15 in active duty Soldiers. 100 active duty males at Fort Hood, Texas, underwent a battery of psychometric tests, anthropometric measurements, and fitness tests, and they also provided fasting blood samples for fatty acid and vitamin D analysis. Pearson bivariate correlation analysis revealed significant correlations among psychometric tests, anthropometric measurements, physical performance, reported physical inactivity (sitting time), and fatty acid and vitamin D blood levels. On the basis of these findings, a regression equation was developed to predict a depressed mood status as determined by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. The equation accurately predicted depressed mood status in 80% of our participants with a sensitivity of 76.9% and a specificity of 80.5%. Results indicate that the use of a regression equation may be helpful in identifying Soldiers at higher risk for mental health issues. Future studies should evaluate the impact of exercise and diet as a means of improving resiliency and reducing depressed mood in Soldiers.
U.S. Military-Baylor University Graduate Program in Nutrition, Army Medical Department Center and School, 3630 Stanley Road, Building 2841 Suite 0303, Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234-6138.
Nicholas D
ND
Barringer
Joint Trauma System, U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research, 3698 Chambers Pass Suite B, Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234-7767.
Russ S
RS
Kotwal
Brain Health Education and Research Institute, P.O. Box 61052, Potomac, MD 20854.
Michael D
MD
Lewis
U.S. Military-Baylor University Graduate Program in Nutrition, Army Medical Department Center and School, 3630 Stanley Road, Building 2841 Suite 0303, Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234-6138.
Leslee K
LK
Funderburk
Department of Educational Psychology, Texas A&M University, 4225 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-4225.
Timothy R
TR
Elliott
Applied Exercise Science Laboratory, Department of Health and Kinesiology, Texas A&M University, 4243 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-4243.
Stephen F
SF
Crouse
Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Texas A&M University, 2253 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-2253.
Stephen B
SB
Smith
Exercise and Sport Nutrition Laboratory, Department of Health and Kinesiology, Texas A&M University, 1700 Research Parkway, Building No. 2, Suite 2500, College Station, TX 77843-4243.
Michael
M
Greenwood
Exercise and Sport Nutrition Laboratory, Department of Health and Kinesiology, Texas A&M University, 1700 Research Parkway, Building No. 2, Suite 2500, College Station, TX 77843-4243.
Richard B
RB
Kreider
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000592:standards*; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013781:Texas; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood
D005227:Fatty Acids; D014807:Vitamin D