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 stages of change model in improving nutrition and exercise habits in enlisted Air Force men.
Thirty-nine U.S. Air Force enlisted men participated in a r and omized controlled study that evaluated an experimental program design ed to enhance fitness . Subjects were assigned to either a treatment ( access to the program ) or control ( no access to program ) group for 6 months . To improve treatment group fitness ( as measured by VO2 , subjects received individually tailored information ( based on a behavior change model ) via the Internet to encourage adoption of positive diet and exercise behaviors . Results showed no significant effect in improving fitness in treatment . However , significant effects were observed for secondary outcomes such as weight ( controls , + 1.0 kg vs. treatment , -2.2 kg , p < 0.05 ) , body mass index ( + 0.3 kg/m2 vs. -0.7 kg/m2 , p < 0.05 ) , and percent body fat ( + 0.6 % vs. -1.5 % , p < 0.001 ) . The data suggest that the individually tailored exercise information was not effective in encouraging sufficient exercise intensity to impact fitness . However , the dietary tailored information appears to have encouraged the adoption of more positive nutritional practice s as demonstrated by the beneficial effects reflected in secondary outcomes
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 .