The LIFE Program: A Wellness Approach to Weight Loss

Abstract

The LIFE (lifestyle change, individual readiness, fitness excellence, eating healthy) wellness program was an intensive, out-patient, healthy lifestyle change program with participants from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. Our objective was to describe the LIFE program and to present before and after test results for this 1-year program. Fifty-three participants completed the 5-day intensive outpatient and 1-year follow-up program and maintained average weight losses of >10 pounds and 14 pounds for men and women, respectively. Most of the weight loss occurred by 6 months. Participants who completed the program also showed increases in healthy eating attitudes, well-being, and overall quality of life. The LIFE change model has implications for improved service retention, health, and overall quality of life or patient evidence that matters (POEMS). The program is both portable and flexible and can be tailored to the demands of the dynamic military environment.

The Correlates and Treatment of Obesity in Military Populations: A Systematic Review

“…The final reviewed study [40] concentrated on a small Navy sample (n = 27) and offered one significant correlation (p < 0.05) in reference to the 'perceptions of exercise leadership'. 64 NEPP 3 per week multi-disciplinary in-patient coupled with a 1-year out-patient follow-up involving exercise, attitudes, emotions and nutrition 3 weeks, follow-up 6 months reduction in body weight was offered at the post intervention and the 6-month follow-up the male sample had a reduction of 4.2%, at follow-up this figure rose to 10.8% at post intervention the female sample reduction was 5.9% and 15.6% at follow-up the study did not report PA, BMI or body-fat Sanderson/Clemes/Biddle als supported all of the LEAN programmes [23, 25-27, 29, 30], with similar support evident for the FLEX [24] and LIFE [28] programmes. A self-monitoring process was employed in the majority of interventions.…”

“…The majority of the interventions [24,25,[27][28][29][30][31]34] delivered the intervention through a combination of group and individual therapy; 4 programmes relied on individual, oneto-one treatment; group therapy alone was utilized by 1 intervention [32]. In general the interventions that used a combined approach were more successful.…”

“…The LEAN programmes all had a period of in-patient care at an army medical centre. Three other interventions [24,28,31] utilized an initial in-patient process for some or all of the tiered interventions. The remaining 4 interventions [32][33][34]46] were based in the workplace.…”

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

“…Other interventions in military personnel have resulted in weight loss, 8,10,11,14 though it is important to recognize study design differences when comparing the results of these programs with these findings. Importantly, we were unable to determine if weight changes were associated with H.E.A.L.T.H.…”

“…Web site usage because of the anonymous study design, whereas previous studies were able to identify participants. In addition, previous studies utilized group-and/or clinic-based behavioral treatment approaches, 10,14 and exclusively enrolled soldiers exceeding the STW, which resulted in a sample seeking weight loss treatment. By design, our population-based intervention was made available to all Army Reserve soldiers, irrespective of their weight status or intentions concerning weight management.…”