by Robin Allen
I had the pleasure of attending FNCE 2017 in Chicago, Illinois Oct 21-24, 2017 celebrating its 100th anniversary. Since I have not attended in 10 years this was quite an experience! The FNCE app was incredible, networking, learning, and exhibits with new product and obviously sampling were all highlights.
As the Social Media Specialist for OneOp (MFLN) Nutrition and concentration area I was looking to network with active duty military Dietitians. I hit the jackpot when I attended “ENHANCING THE U.S. ARMY PERFORMANCE THROUGH KEY NUTRITION INITIATIVES”.
The presenters were:
COL Joanna Reagan, MS, MHA, MSS, RDN
COL Chad Koenig, MS, RDN, CSSD, CSCS, EP-C MAJ (P)
Bethany Deschamps, Ph.D., RD, LD, CSCS
MAJ Tamara Osgood, MS, RD, LD
Below are the highlights:
1 in 20 Active Duty Soldiers fails the Army Physical Fitness test annually.
Performance Triad (P3) https://phc.amedd.army.mil/topics/campaigns/perftriad/Pages/default.aspx : A public health initiative designed to improve Soldier’s readiness and resilience by improving sleep, activity, and nutrition (SAN).
- Get quality sleep
- Engage in Activity
- Improve nutrition
17% of active duty Soldiers are clinically obese.
Failure to meet the weight standards is the #1 cause for separation from the U.S Army.
Eat Well, Perform Well Go for Green (G4G) https://www.hprc-online.org/page/Go-for-Green, which I have discussed before is improving Commissary, Exchange, Dining Facilities healthy options. This includes the fast food chains which operate on Military bases. Also improving food placement by putting vegetables and the front of the Dining Hall lines instead of at the end.
Healthy Army Communities (HAC)
- The 4 R’s” Retention, Readiness and Resiliency and Recruitment.
- In 2010, 27% of recruits did not qualify for the military due to failure to meet the height and weight standards. https://www.armymwr.com/programs-and-services/resources/healthy-army-communities
- The national obesity problem is affecting the Army’s ability to get new recruits.
Commissaries are now offering shopping tours, cooking classes, healthy grab and go options and Meal replacement options.
Military Nutrition Environment Assessment Tool (m-NEAT) https://phc.amedd.army.mil/topics/healthyliving/n/Pages/HealthyEatingEnvironment.aspx
- An assessment tool used to evaluate the installations’ environment and policies related to promoting a healthy lifestyle.
- Designed to assess health promotion specialists, Dietitians, food services and Commanding officers in developing action plans.
Many of these initiatives are being implemented force-wide. I have just touched on some of the highlights of this presentation. For more information please visit the websites that were listed. Look for a future webinar from the OneOp Nutrition and Wellness concentration area for a more in-depth look and these programs and evaluation of results.
What programs are you using to enhance military readiness?
This blog was posted by Robin Allen, a member of OneOp (MFLN) Nutrition and Wellness team that aims to support the development of professionals working with military families. Find out more about the OneOp Nutrition and Wellness concentration on our website on Facebook, on Twitter, and LinkedIn.
