Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
10097154 | Preventive Medicine Reports | 2018 | 6 Pages |
Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to examine regional differences in average self-reported BMI, obesity prevalence, and frequent exercise (FE) among members of Team Red, White, and Blue (Team RWB) - a military veteran service organization founded to increase physical activity in veterans. A total of 10,015 military veterans participated in a needs assessment conducted by Team RWB between December 2014 and August 2016. Multivariate regression analysis with bootstrapped coefficients revealed that: BMI was highest in the Midwest region (Mâ¯=â¯28.282) of the United States, F(20, 9882)â¯=â¯105.560, pâ¯<â¯0.001; obesity prevalence was highest in the Southcentral (32.300%) and Southeast (32.200%) regions, x2(9731)â¯=â¯10,850, pâ¯<â¯0.001; and FE was most prevalent in the Mid-Atlantic region (67.3%), x2(9882)â¯=â¯11,291, pâ¯<â¯0.001.The results of this study closely mirror results found in studies of the general population. A better understanding of the geographic distribution of these outcomes could guide the targeting of sub-populations for public health programs. In particular, Team Red, White & Blue community growth and other fitness based public health programs could be expanded to reach more veterans.
Related Topics
Health Sciences
Medicine and Dentistry
Public Health and Health Policy
Authors
Justin T. McDaniel, Kate H. Thomas, Caroline M. Angel, Michael S. Erwin, Louis P. Nemec, Brandon B. Young, Nicholas J. Armstrong, Blayne P. Smith, John M. Pinter,