The Impact of a Shipboard Weight Control Program

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Abstract
DENNIS, KAREN E., KAREN W. PANE, BRENDA K. ADAMS, AND BING BING QI. The impact of a shipboard weight control program. Obes Res. 1999;7:60–67.Objective: The specific aim was to determine whether a multifaceted approach to weight loss and physical readiness could be implemented onboard a deployed combatant ship of the U.S. Navy.Research Methods and Procedures: Thirty‐nine men (31±6 years old, mean±standard deviation) assigned to the USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65) during a 6‐month Mediterranean deployment who had failed their previous Physical Readiness Test due to excessive body weight (108±11 kg overweight) were randomly assigned to nutrition, cognitivebehavioral obesity treatment plus exercise or to the Navy's usual treatment (control), which is exercise alone.Results: Outcomes for the treatment group were significantly better than the controls, with 8.6±5.0 vs. 5.0±4.1 kg weight loss, 8% vs. 5% reduction in original body weight, and body fat loss of 7% vs. 5%. Triglycerides declined significantly greater in the treatment group than the controls (145 mg/dL to 109 mg/dL vs. 146 mg/dL to 145 mg/dL, pDiscussion: Although greater weight loss than would be expected of a Navy usual care group diluted the treatment effect, the treated men still fared significantly better. The physical readiness implication of this research has the potential to impact Navy health promotion programs and policy, the health and well‐being of its personnel, and the Navy's ability to meet mission requirements.