Efficacy of a Pilot Internet-Based Weight Management Program (H.E.A.L.T.H.) and Longitudinal Physical Fitness Data in Army Reserve Soldiers

Abstract

Background: The primary aims of this article are to describe the utilization of an Internet-based weight management Web site [Healthy Eating, Activity, and Lifestyle Training Headquarters (H.E.A.L.T.H.)] over a 12–27 month period and to describe concurrent weight and fitness changes in Army Reserve soldiers. Methods: The H.E.A.L.T.H. Web site was marketed to Army Reserve soldiers via a Web site promotion program for 27 months (phase I) and its continued usage was observed over a subsequent 12-month period (phase II). Web site usage was obtained from the H.E.A.L.T.H. Web site. Weight and fitness data were extracted from the Regional Level Application Software (RLAS). Results: A total of 1499 Army Reserve soldiers registered on the H.E.A.L.T.H. Web site. There were 118 soldiers who returned to the H.E.A.L.T.H. Web site more than once. Registration rate reduced significantly following the removal of the Web site promotion program. During phase I, 778 Army Reserve soldiers had longitudinal weight and fitness data in RLAS. Men exceeding the screening table weight gained less weight compared with men below it ( p < .007). Percentage change in body weight was inversely associated with change in fitness scores. Conclusions: The Web site promotion program resulted in 52% of available Army Reserve soldiers registering onto the H.E.A.L.T.H. Web site, and 7.9% used the Web site more than once. The H.E.A.L.T.H. Web site may be a viable population-based weight and fitness management tool for soldier use.

Obesity and the US military family

“…For Army soldiers, weight loss (≥5% of weight) was associated with usage of the program website . All Reserve website‐users, however, gained weight during the study period .…”

Discontinuously supervised aerobic training vs. physical activity promotion in the self-management of type 2 diabetes in older Italian patients: design and methods of the ‘TRIPL-A’ randomized controlled trial

“…Indeed, findings from other studies (e.g., see [19, 20]) suggest that patients that are referred to PA by GPs are more likely to be active than those who are referred by a visiting specialist. Interestingly, studies have also suggested that the effectiveness of interventions aimed at promoting PA, in both healthy adults [21, 22] and T2D patients [23, 24], may be enhanced when traditional methods are supported by the use of web-based applications (WBA).…”

Relações Entre Aptidão Física, Concentração De Creatina Quinase E Variabilidade Da Frequência Cardíaca Em Alunos Do Npor De Pelotas/Rs

“…Níveis elevados de aptidão física entre militares são relevantes para a segurança pública e da nação e, em âmbito nacional, no primeiro ano de ingresso, recrutas passam por treinamento intenso para aprimorar suas capacidades físicas e possuírem excelência militar (ROBERT et al, 2011). Porém, internacionalmente, observa-se que a aptidão física dos soldados, após doze meses de serviço militar, diminui significativamente quando comparada à do ano de conscrito (DREGVAL;VAIČAITIENĖ, 2006).…”