The effect of peer influence on the amount of physical activity performed in 8- to 12-year-old boys

The purpose of this study was to determine the amount of physical and sedentary activity normal-weight and at-risk-for/overweight boys perform when alone, with a peer of similar weight and with a peer of different weight. Participants included boys, ages 8-12 years, classified as either normal-weight (<85th BMI percentile; N = 12) or at-risk-for/overweight (<85th BMI percentile; N = 12). At-risk-for/ overweight boys allocated a greater amount of time to sedentary activities and accumulated fewer accelerometer counts than normal-weight boys in the alone condition. Once paired with a peer of either similar or different weight there were no differences between groups. These results indicate the presence of an unknown peer has a positive effect on at-risk-for/overweight children's physical activity behavior.

Dietary Supplements: Knowledge and Adverse Event Reporting Practices of Department of Defense Health Care Providers

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of the study was to assess the knowledge of dietary supplements (DS) and adverse event (AE) reporting practices of the Department of Defense health care providers. AEs related to use of DS are not uncommon. However, it is estimated that less than 2% of AEs are reported. This is problematic given the Food and Drug Administration relies on AE reports to identify and ultimately remove unsafe products from the market. Inadequate reporting of AE puts all DS users at risk.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cross-sectional design was used. Electronic surveys were sent to the Department of Defense health care professionals (HCPs) and Emergency Medicine (EM) physicians asking questions about practices regarding DS and AE knowledge and reporting behaviors. The surveys were open for 5 months. During this period of time, HCPs received three email reminders following the initial email to enhance participation. The computer package IBM SPSS version 25 software (IBM Corp. Released 2017. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 21.0, Armonk, New York) was used for statistical analysis. Frequency distributions of the responses were analyzed.

RESULTS

Of the 1,700 surveyed, 270 HCPs and 68 EM physicians completed the surveys. At least 39% of HCPs reported never receiving formal DS training. Seventy-two percent of HCPs reported asking their patients about the use of DS. However, when asked if they knew where to report an AE, only 40% of HCPs knew where to report an AE and only 38% knew how to report an AE. Of the EM physicians, only 38% asked their patients about DS. However, a majority (78%) reported that they had encountered an AE. EM physicians also reported they lacked knowledge regarding where (87%) and how (87%) to report AE.

CONCLUSIONS

It is clear that physician and nonphysician HCPs would benefit from additional training about DS and how and where to report suspected AE. Providing regular training on risks, common AE, and how and where to report an AE would help fill the knowledge gap in the ever-changing DS industry. Addressing these issues and coming up with a solution to integrating AE reporting into clinical care could improve health care practices and increase AE reporting to the Food and Drug Administration, which would have a beneficial impact on patient care, public safety, and mission readiness.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Benefits for Performance and Recovery

Full-spectrum human performance optimization (HPO) is essential for Special Operations Forces (SOF). Nutrition is one part of HPO and is important for all aspects of performance. One area of increased interest in this regard is omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3). Research has indicated that Servicemembers (SM), including SOF, do not eat the recommended 2 to 3 servings per week of fatty fish and have low omega-3 levels. Therefore, alternative approaches are warranted. The purpose of this article is to highlight the potential mental and physical health and performance benefits of omega-3. Consuming omega-3 on a regular basis would not only be beneficial for the health of SOF but also for their training and overall performance.

Gastric devascularization: an alternate approach to the surgical treatment of massive, diffuse hemorrhage from gastritis

During a three-year period on the surgical services at the University of Texas in San Antonio, eight critically ill patients had various types of gastric devascularization to control erosive hemorrhagic gastritis. Among these patients were two women and one child. There were five chronic alcoholics, one aspirin abuser, one severely burned patient, and one patient with sepsis. Esophagogastroscopy was used in six patients but was diagnostic in only three. All of the patients were given intensive medical preoperative care, including an average of eight units of blood each. In four of the five known alcoholics, preoperative tests showed severely deranged clotting function. All of the patients received at least a four-point gastric vessel ligation. In addition, four had gastrotomies, three had vagotomies and pyloroplasties, and two had "complete" gastric vessel ligation. There was no significant rebleeding in five patients. Of the three patients with significant recurrent gastric hemorrhage, two were chronic alcoholics with poor clotting function, and neither was considered operable. One patient, the child, had massive rebleeding one week after gastric devascularization with vagotomy and pyloroplasty and required a subtotal gastrectomy. Of the four patients who ultimately died, three were chronic alcoholics and one had sepsis.

Optimization of Omega-3 Index Levels in Athletes at the US Naval Academy: Personalized Omega-3 Fatty Acid Dosage and Molecular Genetic Approaches

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend increasing the intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. The Omega-3 Index (O3I) is one marker used to assess omega-3 status. The O3I national average is 4.3%, which translates into a high risk for developing cardiovascular disease. Research has reported an association between variants in the two desaturase encoding genes, fatty acid desaturase 1 and fatty acid desaturase 2 (FADS1/2), and the concentration of O3I. The aim of this study was to assess whether a personalized dosage of omega-3 supplementation would lead to an O3I ≥ 8%. A secondary aim was to identify if changes in O3I levels would be associated with either of the two FADS1/2 variants. Methods: This interventional study had a pre- and post-intervention design to assess changes in O3I. Ninety participants completed demographic, biometrics, O3I, and genetic testing. Participants were provided a personalized dose of omega-3 supplements based on their baseline O3I. Results: The majority (63%) of participants were 20 year old white males with an average O3I at baseline of 4.6%; the post-supplementation average O3I was 5.6%. The most frequent genetic variants expressed in the full sample for FADS1/2 were GG (50%) and CA/AA (57%). Conclusions: O3I was significantly increased following omega-3 supplementation. However, it was not possible to conclude whether the two FADS1/2 variants led to differential increases in OI3 or if a personalized dosage of omega-3 supplementation led to an O3I ≥ 8%, due to our study limitations.

Examining the Influence of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Performance, Recovery, and Injury Management for Health Optimization: A Systematic Review Focused on Military Service Members

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Omega-3 fatty acids (n-3), recognized for their anti-inflammatory and brain health benefits, are being studied to enhance cognitive function, aid physical recovery, and reduce injury rates among military service members (SMs). Given the unique demands faced by this tactical population, this systematic review aims to evaluate the evidence of n-3 to support physical and mental resilience and overall performance.

METHODS

This review was conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and includes articles that assessed n-3 status or implemented n-3 interventions in relation to physical and cognitive performance, recovery, and injury outcomes (2006 to 2024). Of the 1606 articles yielded in screening through Covidence, 755 were irrelevant, leaving 226 studies for full-text eligibility. Of those 226 studies, 165 studies were excluded, and 61 studies were included in this review.

RESULTS

The results highlighted evidence-based findings in five key areas where omega-3 fatty acids are being evaluated to benefit military service members. These key areas include cardiopulmonary function, exercise recovery, cognitive function, injury recovery, and strength and power. While existing research suggests promising benefits, the most significant evidence was seen with cardiopulmonary function, exercise recovery, and cognitive function.

CONCLUSIONS

Current research is promising and shows potential benefits, but the results are inconclusive and inconsistent. Future research is needed to determine optimal n-3 status, dose, and possibly type of n-3 across the various performance outcomes. Understanding these gaps in research will be essential to creating evidence-based n-3 guidelines for optimal performance of SMs.

Nutrition Interventions to Improve the Military Nutrition Environment Positively Impact Service Members

INTRODUCTION

This systematic review examines dietary interventions in the military nutrition environment (MNE) to support the health and performance of service members (SM).

METHODS

Articles that implemented a dietary intervention for active duty SMs on military installations were included in this analysis (from 2010 to 2013). Of the 723 articles yielded in screening through Covidence, 6 studies qualified to be included in this review.

RESULTS

Study interventions were grouped into color coding, food choice architecture, and menu modifications. All studies indicated increased nutrient intake. One study reported enhanced diet quality using the Healthy Eating Index. Two studies received positive customer feedback, and all selected studies demonstrated positive behavior modification among SM.

DISCUSSION

All studies demonstrated improvement in diet-related outcomes, and behavior modification. Many barriers exist within MNE that need to be addressed to make meaningful changes. The heterogeneity in study designs and interventions poses challenges in reaching definitive conclusions.

IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH AND PRACTICE

These results highlight the need for a more extensive examination of the military food environment across all venue types. Replication of standardized nutrition practices throughout the diverse military landscape can further impact the health, readiness, and performance of SM.

Reduced nephrotoxicity of cyclosporine A in hypercholesterolemic cadaveric renal transplant patients

In a retrospective analysis of stable cadaveric renal transplant patients we identified 19 patients with high (> 270 mg/dl) and 12 patients with low (< 170 mg/dl) serum cholesterol levels. We found that patients with high cholesterol level had higher serum cyclosporine levels despite similar oral dose of cyclosporine, suggesting its increased oral bioavailability or decreased biliary excretion. Moreover, the high cholesterol patients were protected from the cyclosporine side effects such as nephrotoxicity and hypertension.

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.