Nutritional and Sports Supplement Use Among Deployed U.S. Army Soldiers in a Remote, Austere Combat Outpost in Eastern Afghanistan

Paisley, Robert

doi:10.7205/milmed-d-14-00334

Cited by 13 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…In a 2015 article, Paisley reported on supplement use in military paratroopers and concluded that supplement use occurred at a higher rate among paratroopers who were deployed than among those in garrison [ 6 ]. Unlike our study, Paisley did not include data collected on a general active duty population in which we found a general increase in supplement use among the three MOSs [ 6 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Self-reported dietary supplement use in deployed United States service members pre-deployment vs. during deployment, Afghanistan, 2013–2014

Varney

Perez

et al. 2017

Military Med Res

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BackgroundDietary supplement use (protein/amino acids, weight-loss supplements, performance enhancers) is common among U.S. military members. Reported dietary supplement use in deployed troops is limited and is of concern in settings where troops are exposed to high ambient temperatures, increased physical demands, and dehydration. Our objective was to describe dietary supplement use and adverse events (AEs) among deployed U.S. service members compared with their pre-deployment use.MethodsWe conducted an institutional review board (IRB) approved, descriptive study in Afghanistan using a written questionnaire and collected demographic information, dietary supplement use before and during deployment, AEs associated with supplement use, and physical workout routines. Participants were U.S. military personnel of all branches of service deployed to Afghanistan. They were recruited in high-traffic areas in the combat theater. We analyzed the data with descriptive statistics. Paired t-test/Wilcoxon signed-rank test was conducted to examine the before/during deployment changes for continuous data, and McNemar’s chi-square test was conducted for categorical data. We constructed separate logistic regression models to determine the best predictors of increases or decreases in dietary supplement use, with demographic information, reasons for using supplements, and education requested/received as covariates in each model. All statistical tests were two-sided at a significance level of 5% (P < 0.05).ResultsData were collected on 1685 participants. Ninety-seven of the participants were in the Army or Air Force.The participants were more likely to work out daily or more than once a day during deployment. Thirty-five percent of the participants reported no supplement use before or during deployment. The remaining 65% of participants reported increased use and increased frequency of use of supplements (e.g., daily) during deployment compared with pre-deployment. Additionally, more people followed label instructions strictly during deployment vs. pre-deployment.Overall, the frequency of self-reported AEs among supplement users remained consistent before and during deployment. The only significant difference noted was in problems falling or staying asleep, which increased during deployment. In the adjusted logistic regression models, the level of formal education, military branch, occupational specialty, education about dietary supplements, and certain reasons for using supplements (to boost energy, lose weight, gain muscle strength and mass, and as a meal replacement) were significant predictors of changes in supplement use.ConclusionDeployed U.S. service members were more likely to use dietary supplements, use more than one supplement and use supplements more frequently during deployment than pre-deployment. No serious AEs were reported, but problems falling or staying asleep increased during deployment.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s40779-017-0141-6) contains supplementary material, ...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Self-reported dietary supplement use in deployed United States service members pre-deployment vs. during deployment, Afghanistan, 2013–2014

Varney

Perez

et al. 2017

Military Med Res

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“…The literature suggests that PIEDs are used before, during, and after deployment, with the majority of current literature suggesting that use of PIEDs significantly increases during deployment compared to prior or post-deployment. [22][23][24] Conversely, a different study found no significant difference in anabolic steroid use on deployment when compared to in-garrison and a reduction in the use of weightloss supplements during deployment. 25 Males are more likely to use performance enhancing PIEDs such as anabolic steroids and body building supplements whereas women were more likely to use more image focused PIEDs such as weight-loss supplements.…”

Section: Characteristics Of the Included Studiesmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…33,[36][37][38][39][40] Mental health concerns such as panic attacks, extreme aggression, negative self-image, disturbing thoughts, and behavioral change were reported following PIEDs use. 23,24,26,34,35,40,41 3.6 | How are serving military personnel and veterans introduced to PIEDs (ie, was their introduction pre-, during-,…”

Section: What Are the Effects Of Pieds Use On Mental And Physical Hmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Performance and image enhancing drugs are linked with serious physical 33,[36][37][38][39][40] and mental health problems. 23,24,26,34,35,40,41 As such, they present serious implications for both the health and service readiness of military personnel. 36 Potentially poor health, 37,39 lack of regulation around sources of PIEDs, 26 and doubts about the quality of PIEDs being used 26,39 are all reported and have possible negative consequences.…”

Section: What Are the Effects Of Pieds Use On Mental And Physical Hmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Performance and image enhancing drugs use in active military personnel and veterans: A contemporary review

Whyte

Pattinson

Leyland

et al. 2020

Transl. Sports. Med.

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“…It highlighted the need to provide better and more targeted education to ADF personnel in this period on the safety and adverse consequences of DS. Previous studies indicated that service members obtained DS products largely from military commissaries, health food stores on base or online (Gonsalves et al 2012;Paisley 2015). From personal communications with ADF members we learned that Australian service members had access to an extensive range of DS (which may have included products not permitted in Australia) via online ordering and the U.S. Post Exchange System while deploying in the Middle East.…”

Section: )mentioning

confidence: 99%

Retrospective self-reported dietary supplement use by Australian military personnel during deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan: results from the Middle East Area of Operations Health Study

Lui

Waller

Bell

et al. 2019

Appl. Physiol. Nutr. Metab.

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The use of dietary supplements is popular among military personnel. However, there is a lack of understanding about the changes in use during deployment and the specific factors associated with such changes. This study retrospectively examined changes in the pattern of supplement use among Australian veterans during their deployment to Iraq (n = 8848) and Afghanistan (n = 6507) between 2001 and 2009 and identified work-related circumstances that were associated with these changes. The frequency of use of supplements at present and during deployment was assessed. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to compare the use of supplements among different groups and among those with different deployment experiences. The study found that overall use of supplements was highest on deployment to Afghanistan (27.8%) compared with deployment to Iraq (22.0%, p < 0.001) or after deployment (current use, 21.2%; p < 0.001). Personnel who were younger or who were at the rank of noncommissioned officer were more likely to use dietary supplements. Men were more likely to use body-building supplements, whereas women more often used weight-loss supplements. Those veterans who did not report using supplements regularly on deployment were far less likely to use them subsequently. Combat exposure, mixed duty cycles, and working long hours during deployment were associated with higher supplement use. The findings confirmed that supplement use in the military reflects the unique demands and stressors of defence service.

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Nutritional and Sports Supplement Use Among Deployed U.S. Army Soldiers in a Remote, Austere Combat Outpost in Eastern Afghanistan

Cited by 13 publications

References 12 publications

Self-reported dietary supplement use in deployed United States service members pre-deployment vs. during deployment, Afghanistan, 2013–2014

Self-reported dietary supplement use in deployed United States service members pre-deployment vs. during deployment, Afghanistan, 2013–2014

Performance and image enhancing drugs use in active military personnel and veterans: A contemporary review

Retrospective self-reported dietary supplement use by Australian military personnel during deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan: results from the Middle East Area of Operations Health Study

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