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- Title
Obesity and associated adverse health outcomes among US military members and veterans: Findings from the millennium cohort study.
- Authors
Rush, Toni; LeardMann, Cynthia A.; Crum‐Cianflone, Nancy F.
- Abstract
<bold>Objective: </bold>To assess the prevalence of obesity and associated health outcomes among US service members and veterans.<bold>Methods: </bold>Data from three survey cycles (2001-2008) of the Millennium Cohort Study were used to examine the prevalence of obesity and associated health outcomes.<bold>Results: </bold>Of the 42,200 individuals, 25% were of normal weight in 2007/2008. Rates of obesity were significantly higher among veterans (32%) compared with service members (20%). Over a 7-year period, obesity rates doubled among both service members (10%-20%) and veterans (14%-32%). Participants with obesity were significantly more likely to be male, older, less educated, in the Army or Navy, and separated/retired from the military. Hypertension, diabetes, and sleep apnea were significantly more common among individuals with obesity compared with participants with normal weight (all P < 0.05). Individuals with obesity also had significantly higher rates of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder than individuals with normal weight and had lower mental and physical functional scores (all P < 0.05).<bold>Conclusions: </bold>These findings indicate an urgent need to enhance strategies for preventing and reducing excess weight gain within the military and veteran populations. Such strategies should aim to ensure a fit military force and promote health after military service.
- Subjects
UNITED States; OBESITY; ADVERSE health care events; POST-traumatic stress disorder; MENTAL depression; HEALTH outcome assessment; AMERICAN military personnel; VETERANS' health; HEALTH; OBESITY &; psychology; HYPERTENSION epidemiology; OBESITY complications; DIABETES; HYPERTENSION; LONGITUDINAL method; VETERANS; SLEEP apnea syndromes; MILITARY personnel; PSYCHOLOGY of military personnel; PSYCHOLOGY of veterans; DISEASE prevalence
- Publication
Obesity (19307381), 2016, Vol 24, Issue 7, p1582
- ISSN
1930-7381
- Publication type
journal article
- DOI
10.1002/oby.21513