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 .
Efficacy of a meal-replacement program for promoting blood lipid changes and weight and body fat loss in US Army soldiers.
Excess weight is associated with negative health outcomes . Meal replacements are effective in promoting favorable body composition changes in civilian population s ; however , their efficacy with military service members who have unique lifestyles is unknown . The objective of this r and omized controlled trial was to determine the efficacy of the Army 's education-based weight-management program , " Weigh to Stay , " with and without meal replacements for improving blood lipids , and to promote weight and body fat loss in overweight US Army soldiers . Soldiers ( n=113 ; 76 males/37 females ) attending Weigh to Stay at Fort Bragg , NC , in 2006/2007 were r and omized to Weigh to Stay only or a commercially available meal-replacement program ( two meal replacements per day ) in conjunction with Weigh to Stay , and followed until Army body fat st and ards were met or for 6 months if st and ards were not met . Study completers ( n=46 ) in both treatment groups lost weight ( Weigh to Stay : -2.7+/-4.3 kg ; meal replacers : -3.8+/-3.5 kg ) and fat mass ( Weigh to Stay , -2.7+/-3.2 kg ; meal replacers : -2.9+/-2.5 kg ) , and improved high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations ( Weigh to Stay : 13+/-9 mg/dL [ 0.34+/-0.23 mmol/L ] ; meal replacers : 8+/-7 mg/dL [ 0.21+/-0.18 mmol/L ] ; P<0.05 ) ; however , no between-group differences were observed . Attrition was lower ( P=0.009 ) and success in meeting body fat st and ards tended to be higher ( P=0.06 ) for the meal replacers vs Weigh to Stay participants . Intent-to-treat analysis demonstrated that meal replacers lost more weight ( 1.2+/-0.5 kg ) , percent body fat ( 1.0%+/-0.4 % ) , and fat mass ( 0.8+/-0.4 kg ) compared to Weigh to Stay volunteers ( P<0.05 ) . Our findings suggest that meal replacement use can be recommended as a potential adjunct strategy to Weigh to Stay
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 .