Premium
Cardiometabolic risk in US Army recruits and the effects of military training
Author(s) -
Karl J Philip,
Bass Laura J,
Pasiakos Stefan M,
Andersen Nancy E,
Margolis Lee M,
Rood Jennifer C,
Cable Sonya J,
Williams Kelly W,
McClung James P
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.25.1_supplement.982.2
Subject(s) - medicine , anthropometry , glycemic , lipid profile , obesity , fasting glucose , endocrinology , cholesterol , insulin , insulin resistance
Cardiometabolic disease risk in US military recruits is undetermined. We examined lifestyle factors and biomarkers associated with cardiometabolic risk in 209 military recruits (118M, 91F; 23 ± 5 yr) during basic combat training (BCT). Anthropometrics, fasting total (TC), HDL and LDL cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), glucose and insulin were measured at baseline and every 3 wks during the 10‐wk BCT course. Pre‐BCT, 14% of recruits were obese (BMI > 30), 39% smoked cigarettes, 37% were sedentary, and 34% reported a family history of cardiometabolic disease. TC concentration was above recommended levels in 8%, LDL in 40%, TG in 4%, and glucose in 8% of recruits, and HDL was below recommended levels in 33% of recruits. During BCT, weight declined in men but not women while body fat percentage declined in both men and women (P<0.05). TC decreased 8%, LDL 10%, TG 13%, glucose 6% and HOMA‐IR 40% in men (P<0.05, all such). In women, TC, LDL, glucose and HOMA‐IR were decreased from baseline at 3 and 6 wks (P<0.05), but not different from baseline post‐BCT. Our findings indicate that the prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors in military recruits is similar to that reported in college‐aged populations, and military training may mitigate risk through improvements in blood lipid profile and glycemic control. Research supported by MRMC.