Dissemination of the Look Ahead Weight Management Treatment in the Military

Purpose: This study aims to take the procedural and research-based lessons learned from a pilot weight loss intervention (IRB # 13-02563-XP), conducted by The University of Tennessee Health Science Center in 2013, and apply them to the current study of 204 active duty military personnel. The pilot study translated and tailored the Look Ahead weight loss intervention to an overweight/obese active duty U.S. Air Force population, while accommodating the lifestyle and environment that is unique to military members and evaluate materials and procedures used. Rationale: Being overweight is now by far the leading medical reason for rejection in the military. Unfortunately, the impact of weight problems on the military does not stop with those turned away from military service. From 1998 to 2008, the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center reported the percent of active military members who experienced medical encounters for overweight or obesity significantly increased. The estimated total days of work lost from absenteeism associated with active-duty personnel who are overweight or obese was 658,000. Using Department of Defense (DOD) estimates of average daily based, it was estimated that overweight and obesity costs the DOD $103 million dollars in health care costs annually. Note this estimate is for active duty personnel only. Furthermore, obesity is a major cause for the discharge of uniformed personnel. The current study is inspired by the successful Look Ahead trial, a behavioral science obesity intervention treatment program that included: a collaborative approach, education, behavioral support, and motivational interviewing. The unique nature of this weight reduction study is significant. To our knowledge, there had not been a successful translation of a highly efficacious obesity treatment in the military until The University of Tennessee Health Science Center implemented a pilot version of the Fit Blue program for active duty U.S. Air Force members in 2013. Fol