Effects of a healthy food supply intervention in a military setting: positive changes in cereal, fat and sugar containing foods

Abstract

BackgroundIn Finland, all men are liable to military service and a clear majority completes service. The increasing prevalence of obesity also among soldiers concerns conscripts’ food choices. Conscripts are served nutritionally planned regular main meals but individual choices take place in free-time eating. This study assesses the effects in conscripts’ eating habits in an intervention targeting the supply of healthy foods available in the military setting.MethodsParticipants were 604 18-21-year old male conscripts of whom 242 belonged to Control Group and 362 to Intervention Group. Participants of Control Group were historical controls performing military service one year before Intervention Group. The intervention targeted selection, placement, and attractiveness of healthy foods in garrison refectories and soldier’s home cafeterias, the two main food providers in the military. Dietary intake data was collected by self-administered questionnaire at three time points: before/beginning of military service (T0), 8 weeks (T1) and 6 months (T2) of military service. Outcome measures were food consumption frequencies and four dietary indexes (Cereal Index, Fruit and Vegetable Index, Fat Index and Sugar Index) developed to characterize the diet. Changes between study groups in outcome variables and in time were analysed by repeated-measures analysis of covariance.ResultsSignificant (p < 0.05) intervention effects and time-intervention interactions mostly in favor of Intervention Group were found. In Intervention Group, Cereal Index was significantly higher at T2 and the overall level of porridges and cereals was higher during follow-up when comparing to Control Group. Also, the overall levels of Fat Index, potato chips, soft drinks and desserts as well as sweet pastries at T1 were significantly lower in Intervention Group. At the same time, Fruit and Vegetable Index and the level of fruit and berries were lower in Intervention Group during follow-up.ConclusionsIn the military setting, healthier food choices can be promoted by intervening on the main food environments by improving the supply of healthy foods. However, impacting on conscripts’ individual selection as fruit and vegetable consumption is more challenging.

Socioeconomic, Temporal and Regional Variation in Body Mass Index among 188,537 Swiss Male Conscripts Born between 1986 and 1992

“…The levels of OB (BMI≥30 kg/m 2 ) were slightly lower in Switzerland than in the listed countries (5.8% vs. 8.1–8.5%). In Finland, the plateauing of the OWOB increase among conscripts appeared four years earlier (in 2005/2006) than when it was signalled in Switzerland [67], whereas the BMI values of Austrian conscripts showed no signs of stabilization between 2006 and 2010 [65]. However, because conscription procedures and age-at-conscription rules vary from country to country, in the absence of a comparative international study these figures should be treated with caution.…”

Using the Hospital Nutrition Environment Scan to Evaluate Health Initiative in Hospital Cafeterias

“…An intervention in a military setting focused on placement of healthy foods in the garrison refectories and soldier's home cafeterias, and similar placement of healthy foods in the hospital cafeteria may be beneficial. 14 In another study, customers of a medical center cafeteria reported higher frequency of visits to the cafeteria after implementation of a healthful options food station. 11 A comprehensive and complete assessment of the nutrition environment must include an evaluation of availability of healthy food choices and food placement.…”

Saúde Do Trabalhador Militar: Uma Revisão Integrativa

“…Quanto aos fatores envolvidos ao adoecimento físico e mental de policiais do estado do Rio de Janeiro, pode-se citar o sobrepeso e a obesidade, que associados ao sedentarismo e às escolhas alimentares dos trabalhadores, influenciam negativamente na sua saúde 6,20,21 . Entre os principais problemas encontrados estão: dores no pescoço, na coluna, problemas de visão, dores de cabeça e enxaquecas.…”

“…Também se constatou que os membros das corporações que apresentam lesões musculoesqueléticas permanentes apresentam maior sofrimento psíquico. Tornam-se necessárias mudanças nas dimensões individual, profissional e nos aspectos institucionais referentes às condições e à organização do trabalho e dos serviços de saúde 20,22 .…”