Total Force Kitchen: Exploring Active-Duty Service Member Performance Optimization Through Cooking

Introduction: Obesity, overweight, and suboptimal eating habits are threats to U.S. active-duty service member (SM) nutritional fitness. Offering programs that improve diet quality and nutritional status is of high interest to military leaders. Methods: Total force kitchen (TFK) was developed as a performance-focused multicomponent program centered around culinary skills with education and skill building in key areas of nutrition, physical activity, and mindfulness. This pilot study's objectives were to determine the feasibility and acceptability of the TFK program, to make recommendations for program modification, and to determine impact on behavior, self-efficacy, and health-related outcomes. Participants were single or geographically single active-duty SMs (n = 17) who attended the 12-week, 60-h innovative culinary education and performance optimization program at a local United Service Organization facility. A mixed-method approach assessed pre- and post-program metrics, including attrition rates and participant satisfaction. Results: The TFK program retention rate was 76.5%. All participants were "somewhat satisfied" or "very satisfied" with the overall TFK program. The highest satisfaction was with the cooking-related components. Improvements in other behavioral (d = 0.39, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.17 to 0.95), self-rated health (d = 0.58, 95% CI: -0.02 to 0.16), and anthropometric measures (e.g., body fat percentage: d = -0.01, 95% CI: -0.12 to 0.10) were smaller than improvements in cooking attitudes (d = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.17 to 1.13) and self-efficacy for techniques (d = 1.80, 95% CI: 0.96 to 2.62). Participants reported positive changes in lifestyle related to what they eat and how they prepare their meals. They also highly valued active learning and instructor knowledge and enthusiasm. Discussion: This multidisciplinary evidence-based program offers ample opportunities for SMs to gain knowledge, build skills, and engage in a supportive community to optimize their performance through cooking. A successful pilot has the potential to leverage resources for the TFK program expanding its reach and impact to the larger military population and nonmilitary communities.

Multidisciplinary Case Review Committee: Comprehensive Referral Source for Evaluation and Treatment of High-Risk Exertional Injuries Fostering Safe and Expeditious Return to Duty Decisions

INTRODUCTION

Exertion-related injuries (ERIs) affect Service Members (SM) worldwide with a direct impact on force readiness. Recent evidence has identified that the diagnostic coding of heat-related clinical illnesses can be subjective and prone to errors. Furthermore, ERIs, often have complex presentations impacting multiple organ systems. Optimal management, including establishing the correct diagnosis and plan for return to duty or disability evaluation system referral, frequently requires the expertise of multiple clinical specialties.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This manuscript describes the function and process of the Consortium for Health and Military Performance (CHAMP) Multidisciplinary Case Review Committee (MDCRC), a multi-disciplinary clinical resource specifically focused on assisting clinicians with complex ERIs. To illustrate how the MDCRC works, we include methodology, and descriptive and inferential analysis of all MDCRC-referred cases.

RESULTS

The MDCRC has evaluated 205 SM with complex exertional illness presentations; exertional rhabdomyolysis (ER; 53%), exertional heat illness (34%), exertional collapse associated with sickle cell trait (ECAST; 5%), cardiomyopathy (6%), or other exertion-related conditions. Most SMs (72%) successfully returned to duty within 3 months, but there was a very wide range of duty restriction durations, especially for SM with ER (median: 3 months; interquartile range: 1, 8) and ECAST (median: 12; IQR: 3, 18). Duty restrictions were longer for younger SM (<26 vs ≥26 years: risk ratio [RR]: 1.49, 95% CI: 0.98, 2.29) and history of multiple ERIs (RR: 1.69; 95% CI: 1.07, 2.62).

CONCLUSIONS

The MDCRC is a coordinated and comprehensive resource for all military health care practitioners and SM providing the most up-to-date evidence based clinical expertise for ERIs. MDCRC assists with proper diagnosis, facilitates expedited evaluations to optimize return to duty decisions, and increases SM readiness. MDCRC may be especially crucial for providers who have limited resources and experience in treating SM with ERIs.