The Influence of Training on New Army Recruits’ Energy and Macronutrient Intakes and Performance: A Systematic Literature Review

Nutrition Knowledge Is Associated With Diet Quality Among US Army Soldiers

OBJECTIVE

Examine the relationship between nutrition knowledge, diet quality, and eating behavior among active-duty US Army Soldiers.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study with data collection in February 2018 via paper surveys during the validation of the Military Eating Behavior Survey.

RESULTS

Among 440 US Army Soldiers, nutrition knowledge was positively and significantly associated with diet quality (b = 0.29, P < 0.001). For every 1-point increase in nutrition knowledge, the Healthy Eating Index-2015 score was expected to increase by 0.29 points. Nutrition knowledge was not significantly associated with skipping breakfast (odds ratio, 1.01; 95% confidence interval, 0.98-1.04) or dining out (odds ratio, 1.01; 95% confidence interval, 0.98-1.03).

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

The outcomes of this study warrant further investigation to determine what interventions provide the strongest outcomes for improving nutrition knowledge and diet quality, as well as create and support an environment that enhances healthy behaviors regarding nutrition that lead to improved diet quality among active-duty Soldiers.

Sleep, Activity, and Nutrition Among an Army Sample: Strengths, Deficits, and Demographic Differences

Sleep, activity, and nutrition (SAN) are key components in overall health, and an individual's knowledge about and self-confidence to engage in healthy SAN behaviors can have an impact on their actions. This evaluation examined SAN knowledge, self-confidence, and behaviors among U.S. Army Soldiers prior to participating in a health promotion program. Baseline surveys from participating Soldiers provide evidence in this evaluation. U.S. Army Soldiers (N = 11,485) participating in a health promotion program completed surveys. Participants completed an online survey assessing SAN knowledge, self-confidence, and behaviors (among other constructs). We examined the common patterns of SAN behaviors, the associations between them, and the differences based on gender and rank. Knowledge, self-confidence, and behaviors were correlated within each of the three SAN domains. Men reported more aerobic exercise (d = .48) and more resistance training (d = .34) per week than women. Officers reported greater self-confidence in their ability to consume a post-exercise snack (i.e., refuel; d = .38), greater refueling behaviors (d = .43), greater activity knowledge (d = .33), and greater self-confidence in their ability to achieve activity goals (d ranging from .33 to .39), compared to enlisted Soldiers. Finally, greater confidence in one's ability to achieve healthy sleep correlated with getting more sleep, both during workweek (r = .56, p < .001) and weekend (r = .25, p < .001). These baseline data support the need for health promotion of SAN behaviors among these Soldiers.

Effectiveness of nutrition interventions on improving diet quality and nutrition knowledge in military populations: a systematic review

CONTEXT

Optimizing nutrition in military groups through improved diet quality and nutrition knowledge is key in supporting the high physical and cognitive demands.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this investigation was to systematically review the effectiveness of nutrition interventions among military personnel in improving diet quality and/or nutrition knowledge.

DATA SOURCES

Medline, Embase, CINAHL, and Scopus were searched from the earliest records to May 2020.

DATA EXTRACTION

Data were extracted by 2 reviewers. The primary outcomes were diet quality and/or nutrition knowledge.

DATA ANALYSIS

Twenty studies were included. The main intervention approaches identified were nutrition education of individuals (i.e., education-based studies; EB) (n = 12), and manipulation of the food service environment (i.e., dining facility studies; DFACs) (n = 8). The most common strategies were face-to-face lectures (n = 8) for EB, and healthier menus (n = 7) and education of catering staff (n = 6) for DFAC interventions. Most studies (18/20) demonstrated favorable within-group effects; however, dietary changes were inconsistent. Five of 10 studies using a comparator group demonstrated positive between-group differences.

CONCLUSION

Although potential exists for improving diet quality and nutrition knowledge in military populations, the heterogeneity of the studies to date limits conclusions on the most efficacious strategies.

Negative energy balance during military training: The role of contextual limitations

During multiday training exercises, soldiers almost systematically face a moderate-to-large energy deficit, affecting their body mass and composition and potentially their physical and cognitive performance. Such energy deficits are explained by their inability to increase their energy intake during these highly demanding periods. With the exception of certain scenarios in which rations are voluntarily undersized to maximize the constraints, the energy content of the rations are often sufficient to maintain a neutral energy balance, suggesting that other limitations are responsible for such voluntary and/or spontaneous underconsumption. In this review, the overall aim was to present an overview of the impact of military training on energy balance, a context that stands out by its summation of specific limitations that interfere with energy intake. We first explore the impact of military training on the various components of energy balance (intake and expenditure) and body mass loss. Then, the role of the dimensioning of the rations (total energy content above or below energy expenditure) on energy deficits are addressed. Finally, the potential limitations inherent to military training (training characteristics, food characteristics, timing and context of eating, and the soldiers' attitude) are discussed to identify potential strategies to spontaneously increase energy intake and thus limit the energy deficit.