Results Based on consistent evidence from studies that were rated as moderate or strong , there is good evidence that military weight management interventions are effective in improving body composition for duration s of up to 12 months .
Effective interventions are more likely to be high intensity ( have a greater number of sessions ) , are more often delivered by specialists , and use theoretical base/behavioral change techniques and a st and ardized guideline .
Dietary interventions can potentially reduce total fat and saturated fat intake .
Dietary interventions that target the kitchen staff and /or increase the availability of healthy food are more likely to be effective in the short term .
The results regarding military physical fitness interventions were inconclusive .
Conclusion Despite limitations such as the diversity and heterogeneity of the included interventions , outcome measurements , and follow-up duration , this systematic review found good evidence that weight management interventions are effective , especially in terms of weight loss .
Background Research has been conducted to assess the effectiveness of weight management , dietary and physical activity interventions in military setting s. However , a recent and comprehensive overview is lacking .
The aim of this systematic review is to examine the evidence and describe key components of effective interventions in terms of improving body composition , dietary behaviors , and physical activity among active-duty military personnel .
Use of the Food Guide Pyramid and US Dietary Guidelines to improve dietary intake and reduce cardiovascular risk in active-duty Air Force members.
OBJECTIVE To determine whether adoption of dietary patterns consistent with the US Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the Food Guide Pyramid , combined with exercise training , result in significant reductions in cardiovascular risk compared with a regimen of exercise therapy alone . DESIGN A r and omized trial to compare the effects of exercise alone ( n = 17 ) with the effects of exercise and dietary intervention ( n = 15 ) . SETTING McClellan Air Force Base medical clinic ( Sacramento , Calif ) . SUBJECTS Thirty-two members of the Air Force ( 20 men and 12 women ) were recruited at the time they entered a 90-day fitness improvement program . Mean age was 32 years . INTERVENTION All subjects participated in a 90-day fitness program . Half of the group received individualized dietary counseling using the Food Guide Pyramid as a primary educational tool . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Changes in body mass index , plasma lipids and lipoprotein levels , aerobic capacity , and dietary intake were selected to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention . STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED Outcome measures were evaluated by analysis of variance . A paired t test was performed to compare changes in food-group servings and food-group fat intake from baseline values for the exercise-plus-diet group . RESULTS Percentage of energy from fat decreased from 39 % to 23 % for the exercise-plus-diet group , and servings from each of the food groups changed to reflect current guidelines . This group also had significant reductions in body mass index , total cholesterol level , and low-density lipoprotein level : 2 % ( P = .0001 ) , 9 % ( P = .003 ) , and 13 % ( P = .005 ) , respectively . No change was observed for the exercise-only group . Additionally , a significant improvement in maximum oxygen consumption ( P = .01 ) of 38 % ( vs 14 % for the control group ) was achieved . CONCLUSIONS Dietary modification in accordance with the Food Guide Pyramid and the US Dietary Guidelines results in significant reductions in known cardiovascular risk factors and improves the response to exercise training
Results Based on consistent evidence from studies that were rated as moderate or strong , there is good evidence that military weight management interventions are effective in improving body composition for duration s of up to 12 months .
Effective interventions are more likely to be high intensity ( have a greater number of sessions ) , are more often delivered by specialists , and use theoretical base/behavioral change techniques and a st and ardized guideline .
Dietary interventions can potentially reduce total fat and saturated fat intake .
Dietary interventions that target the kitchen staff and /or increase the availability of healthy food are more likely to be effective in the short term .
The results regarding military physical fitness interventions were inconclusive .
Conclusion Despite limitations such as the diversity and heterogeneity of the included interventions , outcome measurements , and follow-up duration , this systematic review found good evidence that weight management interventions are effective , especially in terms of weight loss .
Background Research has been conducted to assess the effectiveness of weight management , dietary and physical activity interventions in military setting s. However , a recent and comprehensive overview is lacking .
The aim of this systematic review is to examine the evidence and describe key components of effective interventions in terms of improving body composition , dietary behaviors , and physical activity among active-duty military personnel .