Comparisons of Baseline Obesity Prevalence and Its Association with Perceived Health and Physical Performance in Military Officers

Abstract

Increasing obesity rates among USA military members vary by age, pay grade, and measurement methods and threaten force fitness and readiness. Limited research has directly measured obesity among officers; those enrolled in graduate school at the Command and General Staff College (CGSC) face additional demands and increased obesity risk. This study compared obesity measurements and performance on the Army Physical Fitness test and self-rated health for a sample of mostly CGSC officers. Participants (n = 136, 75.7% male, 79.6% officers) completed body composition measures; BMI, body fat percentage (BF%), waist circumference (WC), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) estimated obesity rates and were compared for discordance. Army Physical Fitness Test pass/fail rates and self-reported perceived health were compared with each obesity classification. Obesity prevalence was 18.5–39.7%, differing by sex and measure. BMI, WC, and WHtR underestimated obesity compared to BF% at least 21% of the time. WHtR had the lowest discordance with BF%. Soldiers categorized as obese were significantly more likely to fail the fitness test and report lower self-rated health than non-obese soldiers. Overall, obesity rates among our primarily officer sample were higher than previous studies, particularly for women. Interventions to address obesity are necessary among military officers to optimize human performance.

Prevalence of obesity and associated health risks in soldiers of the German Armed Forces

“…Our findings are also consistent with earlier regression analytic findings for the British and the French Army reported by Sanderson et al and Quertier et al [ 15 – 17 , 23 ]. In contrast to their findings, age played a minor role in our results.…”

“…Referring to the above mentioned prevalence of obesity, earlier studies reported a prevalence of 10% (2016–2017) in the French Armed forces, 12% (2014) in the UK Armed forces, and 15% (1999–2009) in the Czech Armed forces [ 15 , 17 , 18 , 23 ]. More current data for the U.S. Armed Forces published by Hollerbach et al in 2022 reported an obesity prevalence of 18.5% [ 23 ], similar to our findings of 18%, and which possibly reflects more accurately the current state of increasing obesity prevalence in society in general.…”

“…Countermeasures for obesity should not only involve physical activity and fitness promoting health behavior (e.g. diet, sleep and lifestyle) – among more physically fit soldiers but also to civilian populations with equal BMI [ 15 , 17 , 18 , 23 , 32 – 34 ].…”

Perceived Health Status and Medical Conditions Among US Active-Duty Service Members

“…Lower rates of obesity (18 versus 37%) and hypertension (13% versus 30%) were seen among ADSM compared to the overall US population. 16 , 17 It is unclear the extent to which the prevalence and correlates of perceived health status would be similar across US military and general populations. Limited research among active duty Air Force recruits and Army personnel suggests that perceived health status was associated with harmful substance use, obesity, depression, poor sleep quality as well as outcomes such as increased risk of future hospitalization and illness-related ambulatory care visits.…”