British Army Recruits: 100 Years of Heights and Weights

Rosenbaum, Stacy; Crowdy, J. P.

doi:10.1136/jramc-138-02-05

Cited by 13 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 5 publications

(4 reference statements)

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“…While time changes in body dimensions have previously been reported for Australian, British, Kenyan and US military personnel over the period 1854-2008, a small number have reported time changes for only professional military personnel (Paquette et al, 2009, Soar, 1999, Tomkinson et al, 2010 with most reporting on recruits, personnel yet to complete basic military training, or a combination thereof plus professional military personnel (e.g. Bartholomew, 1980, Cuff, 1993, Greiner and Gordon, 1992, Knapik et al, 2006, Moradi, 2009, Moroney et al, 1971, Rosenbaum and Crowdy, 1992, Steegmann, 1985. Collectively, studies of professional military personnel have examined time changes in measures of centrality (typically expressed as changes in means) and provide strong evidence for increases in the size of absolute body dimensions over time.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Time changes in the body dimensions of male Australian Army personnel between 1977 and 2012

et al. 2017

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The aim of this study was to quantify time changes in the body dimensions of male Australian Army personnel. Following a systematic review, two studies were identified and matched for occupation and age (n = 669) with time changes in 12 absolute and 11 proportional body dimensions assessed between 1977 and 2010-12. Changes in means were expressed as absolute, percent and standardised changes, with changes in variability assessed visually and as the ratio of coefficients of variation (CVs). Time changes in absolute dimensions were typically positive (increases) and moderate in magnitude (median standardised change ± 95%CI: 0.53 ± 0.23), and while changes in proportional dimensions were typically negligible (median standardised change ± 95%CI: 0.16 ± 0.33), substantial changes (standardised changes ≥0.2 or ≤-0.2) were observed in several dimensions. Variability in body dimensions has also typically increased (median ratio of CVs ± 95%CI: 1.10 ± 0.07) and become more right-skewed. These findings have important implications for the design and acquisition of new military vehicles, body equipment and clothing.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Time changes in the body dimensions of male Australian Army personnel between 1977 and 2012

et al. 2017

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“…The height and weight of UK Armed Forces recruits has increased steadily since anthropomorphic measurements were instituted in 1960 8. While this may, in part, be attributed to improved healthcare and nutrition, there has also been a rise in obesity within the UK Armed Forces.…”

Section: ‘Essential’ Hypertensionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This process, combined with entry fitness tests, is likely to exclude many secondary causes of hypertension. The rising rates of obesity and alcohol consumption in both the civilian and military populations are likely to lead to increased incidence of primary hypertension at a younger age 8 9…”

Section: Secondary Hypertensionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hypertension in the military patient

et al. 2015

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Hypertension and hypertension-related diseases are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. A diagnosis of hypertension can have serious occupational implications for military personnel. This article examines the diagnosis and management of hypertension in military personnel, in the context of current international standards. We consider the consequences of hypertension in the military environment and potential military-specific issues relating to hypertension.

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“…Obesity, which is now pandemic in the Western world, results in three distinct processes that affect the surface ECG—lateral displacement of the anatomical left ventricular (LV) axis, increased chest wall fat and increased pericardial fat mass, all of which decrease voltage amplitude on the ECG. 8–10 This reduces the diagnostic sensitivity of the surface ECG even further and is likely to render ECG criteria generated in a society with a much lower body mass index (BMI) (∼20 kg/m 2 in 1949) 11 to be obsolete in the modern age of obesity, where LVH is increasingly seen. 12 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Improvements in ECG accuracy for diagnosis of left ventricular hypertrophy in obesity

Rider

Ntusi²,

Bull

et al. 2016

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ObjectivesThe electrocardiogram (ECG) is the most commonly used tool to screen for left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), and yet current diagnostic criteria are insensitive in modern increasingly overweight society. We propose a simple adjustment to improve diagnostic accuracy in different body weights and improve the sensitivity of this universally available technique.MethodsOverall, 1295 participants were included—821 with a wide range of body mass index (BMI 17.1–53.3 kg/m2) initially underwent cardiac magnetic resonance evaluation of anatomical left ventricular (LV) axis, LV mass and 12-lead surface ECG in order to generate an adjustment factor applied to the Sokolow–Lyon criteria. This factor was then validated in a second cohort (n=520, BMI 15.9–63.2 kg/m2).ResultsWhen matched for LV mass, the combination of leftward anatomical axis deviation and increased BMI resulted in a reduction of the Sokolow–Lyon index, by 4 mm in overweight and 8 mm in obesity. After adjusting for this in the initial cohort, the sensitivity of the Sokolow–Lyon index increased (overweight: 12.8% to 30.8%, obese: 3.1% to 27.2%) approaching that seen in normal weight (37.8%). Similar results were achieved in the validation cohort (specificity increased in overweight: 8.3% to 39.1%, obese: 9.4% to 25.0%) again approaching normal weight (39.0%). Importantly, specificity remained excellent (>93.1%).ConclusionsAdjusting the Sokolow–Lyon index for BMI (overweight +4 mm, obesity +8 mm) improves the diagnostic accuracy for detecting LVH. As the ECG, worldwide, remains the most widely used screening tool for LVH, implementing these findings should translate into significant clinical benefit.

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British Army Recruits: 100 Years of Heights and Weights

Cited by 13 publications

References 5 publications

Time changes in the body dimensions of male Australian Army personnel between 1977 and 2012

Time changes in the body dimensions of male Australian Army personnel between 1977 and 2012

Hypertension in the military patient

Improvements in ECG accuracy for diagnosis of left ventricular hypertrophy in obesity

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