Prevalence of overweight and obesity in professional soldiers of the Czech army over a 11-year period
Authors: Fajfrová Jana , Pavlík Vladimír , Psutka Jan , Husarová Michaela , Krutisová Pavla , Fajfr Miroslav 
Published: October 2015

Background/Aim. Obesity is currently considered to be the most frequent
metabolic disease worldwide, not only in developed but also in developing
countries. The aim of this work was to describe the development of health
status in soldiers of the Armed Forces of the Czech Republic (ACR) and to
emphasize the markers of non-communicable diseases. Our study describes the
anthropometric and biochemical parameters of a large group of Czech Army
professional soldiers. Data were obtained over a period of 11 years.
Methods. During the monitored period, from 1999 to 2009, military physicians
carried out on the average 6,360 examinations on professional soldiers per
year and monitored their health and nutritional status with the aim of
preventing the risk factors of non-communicable diseases. These
examinations are compulsory for all professional soldiers at the age of 25,
30, 33, and 36 years. From the age of 39, these examinations are carried out
every year till the end of their career. Besides taking personal histories
and carrying out standard physical examinations, blood was taken for
biochemical examination. The following anthropometric parameters were
monitored: body constitution using body mass index (BMI) and waist
circumference. Our study describes only part of the data concerning
anthropometric and biochemical parameters of professional soldiers which
were obtained over a period of 11 years. Results. Average BMI values in men
were in the overweight range (26.5-27 kg/m2). Average values of waist
circumference, however, ranged from 91.9 cm to 93.4 cm. Between the first
and the last year of monitoring a statistically significant decrease in
these values ranging from 93.4 ? 9.8 cm to 92.7 ? 9.5 cm (p < 0.001) was
observed. All monitored anthropometric parameters in female professional
soldiers were within normal limits. During the monitored period the
proportion of overweight men gradually increased from 52% to 57.1% (p <
0.001). There were no statistically significant changes in the prevalence
of obesity in men (12-15%). Average glycaemia levels were within normal
range in both men and women. A statistically significant decrease in these
levels, however, was observed in men (from 5.1 ? 0.9 mmol/L to 4.8 ? 0.7
mmol/L (p < 0.001) and in women (from 4.9 ? 0.6 mmol/L to 4.6 ? 0.6 mmol/L
(p < 0.001). Concerning the lipid profile in men, a significant decrease in
average values of total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL cholesterol was
observed; from 5.5 ? 1.1 mmol/L to 5.1 ? 1.0 mmol/L (p < 0.001), from 2.0 ?
1.6 mmol/L to 1.6 ? 1.2 mmol/L (p < 0.001) and from 3.4 ? 1.1 mmol/L to 3.2
? 0.9 mmol/L (p < 0.001), respectively. Conclusion. During the monitored
period only one-third of military professionals had normal body weight. More
favorable situation was in female professional soldiers, two-thirds of them
had normal body weight during the monitored period. Additionally, the
increase in the number of individuals with BMI values in the overweight
range was observed. Although the number of overweight soldiers was
overestimated as a result of the inclusion of individuals with increased
body weight due to well-developed musculature, the number of overweight and
obese soldiers is still high.