Publication year
2011
Citation Title
Assessment of rates of overweight and obesity and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder and depression in a sample of Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans.
Journal Name
Military Medicine
Journal Volume
176
Issue Number
2
Page Numbers
151-155
DOI
10.7205/milmed-d-09-00275
Summary
Medical records of Veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) with established routine care within Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers were examined to investigate the potential relationships between weight and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. Findings suggest that no relationship exists between PTSD or depression symptoms and being measured as overweight or obese.
Key Findings
No relationship was found between measures of weight (Body Mass Index [BMI]) and brief positive screens for PTSD or depression.
Veterans within the sample group had higher overweight rates but lower obesity rates than the general U.S. civilian population.
Approximately a quarter of males in the sample were obese or morbidly obese while only about 15% of females fell within the obese/morbidly obese category.
Nearly half of the males and approximately one-third of the female Veterans in the sample fell within the overweight category.
Implications for Program Leaders
Tailor efforts to Service members that are at a high risk for development of weight problems as time passes
Focus on continuing maintenance of Service member health over time, particularly in regard to weight and psychological well-being
Assessment of rates of overweight and obesity and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder and depression in a dample of Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans
Implications for Policy Makers
Continue to support programs designed to promote and maintain healthy lifestyles in Service members, especially in terms of weight and psychological well-being
Continue to support ongoing and expanded programs of research examining the long-term development of health issues in Service members in relation to weight and psychological distress
Encourage collaboration between DoD and community-based programs to offer military families opportunities to engage in family friendly physical activities together
Methods
Retrospective chart reviews of 1,565 archived medical records from the West Haven Veterans Affairs (VA) were used to extract measurements of height and weight (body mass index or BMI) as well as data from PTSD and depression screenings for OEF/OIF Veterans.
Veterans were classified into BMI categories using conventional cut-offs: normal (<25 kg/m2), overweight (25-29 kg/m2), obese (30-39 kg/m2), or morbidly obese (?40 kg/m2).
Mean tests and regressions calculated from significant correlations were evaluated using logistic regression; evaluations were then made of relationships between: PTSD and depression as dichotomous variables and gender/weight category.
Participants
The records of 1,553 Veterans who served in OEF or OIF and visited the VA Connecticut Healthcare System- West Haven between October 1, 2006 and March 31, 2008 were reviewed and included in the final analysis.
Veterans’ chosen for inclusion in the study had at least one PTSD or depression screen documented on their medical record.
The sample was 87% male; with an average age of 32.6 years old (SD = 8.79).
Limitations
Selected participants may differ from nonparticipants in ways that were not measured but affected the outcome such as deployment length, number of months since deployment, location, amount of combat exposure, number of deployments, rank, ethnicity, or socio-economic status.
Given that the participants were Veterans seeking care at one VA facility, results may not generalize to other samples or the Veteran population at large.
The mental health variables used screening measures which are not as accurate as full measures or clinical interviews.
The measure of BMI has been criticized as not being an accurate assessment of being overweight and is not associated with health risks in a clear manner.
Avenues for Future Research
Further examine the evidence that gender potentially moderates the relationship between weight and psychological distress, possibly resulting in gender-specific health outcomes
Utilize a longitudinal design to explore the possibility that associations observed between weight and psychological distress may require more time to surface, and may change over time
Investigate the researchers’ theory that Veterans from current conflicts may be at elevated risk for becoming overweight or obese
Focus
Multiple Branches
Target Population
Population Focus
Military Branch
Military Component
Abstract
Objective: We examined rates of overweight and obesity in a sample of Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom Veterans setting up routine care within 1 Veterans Affairs medical center and examined associations between weight and measures of symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. Methods: Retrospective chart reviews were conducted to collect data on weight and symptoms of PTSD and depression. Results: Mean body mass index (=27 kg/m2, SD = 4.47) was within the overweight range. Veterans had rates of overweight that were higher than those of national samples of individuals in the same age group, but had lower rates of obesity. Measures of symptoms of PTSD and depression were not associated with weight. Conclusions: A high proportion of individuals in this group of Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom Veterans is overweight with rates consistent with the larger active duty population. Overweight was not associated with psychological distress. These data raise concerns for long-term problems with weight in this group of Veterans.
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