Survey on Body Mass Index and Eating Habits as Chief Variables of Lifestyle in Active Duty Military Personnel in 2011-2012

This study conducted to evaluate body mass index and eating habits as the main variables of military personnel lifestyle in 2011-2012. In the descriptive cross-sectional study، 100 active duty personnel age 25-60 years based on cluster sampling method were randomly selected and 93 completed the questionnaire. Examined variables included demographic characteristics، BMI and nutritional habits. Data were collected through a reliable and valid questionnaire and then analyzed using SPSS Ver. 18. Mean age was 39. 4 ±7. 7، 47. 3% of subjects were in the age range 36-45 years، and 65. 6 % had bachelor’s degree of education. Subjects reported hypertension (HTN) 6. 5%، high blood fat 14%، familial CHD 52. 7% and 59. 1% were overweight and obese based on measurements. Eating habit was unfavorable in 51. 6% of subjects، 40. 9% had relatively good eating habits and 7. 5% had good eating habits. Obesity and overweighting and unfavorable eating habits in active duty military personnel are increasing in the decades according to civil population. More attention should be done to promote and maintain health status of the corps. More multidisciplinary studies may clarify the corps’ health profile and strategic planning may help solving the problem.