Bray et al., 1995

Survey of Health-Related Behaviors among Military Personnel (SHRBAMP)

Triennial survey that sampled all active-duty personnel using a stratified random sampling strategy. Surveys (n = 14,225 of 16,502) were completed anonymously during on-site briefings about the project. Persons unavailable during the site visits were contacted and asked to return their survey by mail (N = 1,968 of 8,749). Questions were designed to determine the prevalence of substance abuse and other health and fitness-related behaviors. Questions on stressful life events were included. Questions were used from large-scale federal surveys of civilian populations to facilitate comparisons. Very little information was collected on nutrition knowledge, eating behavior, history of weight loss/gain, fitness programs, or weight maintenance practices.

Personal communication, Goins, U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine, Aberdeen, Md., 1996

Health Risk Appraisal (HRA)

Annual survey administered to approximately 75,000 active Army personnel during the course of a physical exam or other preventive medicine interview. Social security numbers are recorded, and a longitudinal database is maintained. Questions were designed to determine the prevalence of substance abuse and other health and fitness-related behaviors. Questions on stressful life events were included. Very little information was collected on nutrition knowledge, eating behavior, history of weight loss/gain, fitness programs, or weight maintenance practices.

Hourani, 1995, 1996

Perceptions of Wellness and Readiness Assessment (POWR'95)

Survey administered as a part of a 1995 research project that sampled all active-duty Navy and Marine Corps personnel using a stratified random sampling strategy. Personnel (N = 9,859 of ˜12,000) were contacted in on-site briefings or by mail. Social security numbers were recorded. The survey was a composite survey including items form over a dozen standardized questionnaires. To facilitate comparisons, items were used from the SHRBAMP and the HRA (described above), as well as large scale federal surveys of civilian populations. Questions were designed to determine the prevalence of substance abuse, occupational/environmental exposures, and other health and fitness related behaviors, including nutrition knowledge, eating behavior, and history of weight loss/gain. Questions on health status, reproductive history, stressful life events and personality were also included.

Warber et al., in preparation

Army Food and Nutrition Survey I (AF&NS-I)

Information was collected from a convenience sample of 3,065 soldiers at 33 Army installations. Four hundred ninety-four women responded to the survey. The demographic profile of respondents was similar to that of the total Army. Surveys were completed anonymously during an on-site briefing about the project. Questions were designed to assess nutrition knowledge and attitudes, eating behavior, supplement use, history of weight loss/gain, tobacco use, and field feeding behavior.