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Suggested Citation:"B Practices and Policies Tables." Institute of Medicine. 1998. Assessing Readiness in Military Women: The Relationship of Body, Composition, Nutrition, and Health. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/6104.

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B Practices and Policies Tables

Portions of the Practices and Policies Tables appear in the Executive Summary and Chapters 2, 3, and 6 of the report.

Page 254 Cite

Suggested Citation:"B Practices and Policies Tables." Institute of Medicine. 1998. Assessing Readiness in Military Women: The Relationship of Body, Composition, Nutrition, and Health. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/6104.

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TABLE B-1 U.S. Military Practices and Policies Pertaining to Body Composition, Fitness, and Pregnancy

Practice or Policy	DoD Directive/Instruction	Army		Navy	Air Force		Marine Corps	Coast Guard
Frequency of Weight/Height, BF, and Fitness Assessment	Formally evaluated and tested at least annually	Semiannual		Semiannual PRT optional for members > 50 years (NAVOP 064/90, 1990)	Annual		Semiannual	At least annual and upon random urinalysis testing
Assessment Procedures*	Circumference measure technique	Circumference measure if maximum allowable weight for height exceeded		Circumference measure if maximum allowable weight for height exceeded	Circumference measure if maximum allowable weight for height exceeded		Circumference measure if maximum allowable weight for height exceeded	Frame size determined by wrist measure (see COMDTINST M1020.8C, 1994)
								Circumference measure if maximum allowable weight for height exceeded
Men's BF Standard	Range: 18–26%	Age	Max %BF	22%	Age	%BF	18%	Maximum allowable weight by frame size or if exceeded
		17–20	20		<UN+> 29	20		Age	%BF
		21–27	22		30+	24		< 30	23
		28–39	24					31–39	25
		40+	26					40+	27
		(AR 600-9, 1986)

Women's BF Standard	Range: 26–36%	Age	Max %BF	30% (NAVADMIN 071/93, 1993)	Age	%BF	26%	Maximum allowable weight by frame size or if exceeded
		17–20	30		> 29	28		Age	%BF
		21–27	32		30+	32		< 30	33
		28–39	34					31–39	35
		40+:	36					40+	37
		(AR 600-9, 1986)

Page 255 Cite

Suggested Citation:"B Practices and Policies Tables." Institute of Medicine. 1998. Assessing Readiness in Military Women: The Relationship of Body, Composition, Nutrition, and Health. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/6104.

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Fitness Test	Annual Adjusted for age and gender	Adjusted for age and gender (AR 350-41, 1993)	Sit-reach Curl-ups×2 min Push-ups×2 min 1.5-mi run/walk or 500-yd swim (age and gender adjusted)	Submaximal cycle ergometer test, percent of standard based on VO₂ max, age and gender specific (AFI 40-501, 1996)	Men: 3-mi run Curl-ups Push-ups Pull-ups×2 min	None
	Cardiovascular and muscular endurance	2-mi run Sit-ups×2 min^† Push-ups×2 min	+ BF standards (OPNAVINST 6110.1D, 1990)		Women: 1.5-mi run Curl-ups Push-ups Bent-arm hang×2 min
	(DODI 1308.3, 1995)
Duty Time for Physical Fitness	May authorize 1 1/2 hrs 3×/wk	Authorize duty time	Commanding officer's discretion	Commanding officer's discretion	Part of weekly training day	Commanding officer's discretion
Deferrals/Waivers		Hospitalization	Medical limitations	Medical limitations	?	Medical limitations
		Prolonged treatment for medical limitations	Unique body builds Up to 36%			Smoking cessation: after successful completion of a smoking cessation class, member given a one time 6-mo exemption to weight standards
	Pregnancy	• Exempt from body composition, fitness testing (AR 40-501, 1995)	• Exempt from body composition, fitness testing	• Exempt from body composition, fitness testing	• Full-duty status and deployable until medical officer certifies that full duty is medically inadvisable	• Exempt from body composition testing
		• Nondeployable	• 20-wk Rule (no shipboard duty after 20th week of gestation)	• Restrictions based on work environment	• May not participate in contingency operations or be deployed for operations aboard Navy vessels	• >28 weeks, 40-h work week; no overseas duty
		• At 20 weeks, standing at parade rest/attention <15 minutes	• 6-h Rule (medical evacuation for ER must be within 6 hours) (OPNAVINST 6000.1A, 1989)	• Pregnant members assigned to areas without obstetrical care will have assignment curtailed by 24th week (AFI 44-102, 1996)		• Other duty restrictions based on work environment; no rescue swimmer duties
		• At 28 weeks, 40-h week/8-h day				• Not deployable during 20th week through 6 months postpartum

Page 256 Cite

Suggested Citation:"B Practices and Policies Tables." Institute of Medicine. 1998. Assessing Readiness in Military Women: The Relationship of Body, Composition, Nutrition, and Health. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/6104.

×

Practice or Policy	DoD Directive/Instruction	Army	Navy	Air Force	Marine Corps	Coast Guard
Deferrals/Waivers	Pregnancy		• 40-h work week		• Flight personnel are grounded unless cleared by medical waiver	• Time to medical evacuation for emergencies <3 hours
			• Standing at parade rest/attention no more than 20 minutes		• Excused from duties (physical training or standing in formation) that in the opinion of the medical officer are hazardous to her health or to her unborn child	• No flight duties after 2nd trimester
					• Remains available for worldwide assignment	• Prenatal sick leave not to exceed 30 days
					• Pregnant Marines stationed in Hawaii will not be detached after their 6th month; if overseas, they may be detached at their normal rotation tour date; if assigned to shipboard duty, the Marine will be reassigned at first opportunity and no later than the 20th week of pregnancy
	Postpartum	• Return to duty at 6 weeks	• Return to duty at 6 weeks	• Return to duty at 6 weeks	• Return to duty at 6 weeks (or as soon after delivery as medical officer	For nursing mothers, the 6-mo weight standards exemption following delivery
		• Exempt from weigh-in until 6	• Exempt from weigh-in until 6	• Exempt from weigh-in until 6

Page 257 Cite

Suggested Citation:"B Practices and Policies Tables." Institute of Medicine. 1998. Assessing Readiness in Military Women: The Relationship of Body, Composition, Nutrition, and Health. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/6104.

×

		months	months	months	certifies)	will begin at the conclusion of the nursing period, but no later than 12 months postdelivery
		•Physical training at own pace for 45 days	•Exempt from fitness testing for 6 months	•Deferment from deployment until 4 months postpartum	•Exempt from weigh-in until 6 months
		•Exempt from fitness testing for 135 days (FM 21–20, 1992)	•Deferment from deployment until 4 months postpartum	•Exempt from fitness testing for 6 months (AFI 40-502, 1994)	•Exempt from fitness testing for 6 months	•Postdelivery maternity leave up to 6 weeks
		•Deferment from deployment until 4 months postpartum	•No policy regarding breastfeeding	•Commander may approve up to 18 months deferral	•Deferment from deployment until 4 months postpartum	•Not deployable until 6 months postpartum
		•No policy regarding breastfeeding		•No policy regarding breastfeeding	•(MCO 5000.12D, 1995)	•Exempt from weight standards for up to 6 months
					•No policy regarding breastfeeding
Medical Evaluation Requirement	Required 3 months after entry if unsatisfactory	Same as DoD	Required before entry	Required before entry	Required before entry	Upon being found not in compliance with weight standards, members shall be referred to a medical facility
Referrals for Weight Loss	Fat Reduction Program for 3 months; then medical referral		2-wk outpatient weight-management program	Mandatory 90-d program		Upon initial referral to medical facility after being found not in compliance with weight standards, members receive counseling on proper nutrition and exercise to reduce their excess BF
	Progress = ˜3–8 lb weight loss monthly or 1% reduction in BF each month		Also mandatory physical conditioning program	6-mo follow-up
				1-y probationary period

Page 258 Cite

Suggested Citation:"B Practices and Policies Tables." Institute of Medicine. 1998. Assessing Readiness in Military Women: The Relationship of Body, Composition, Nutrition, and Health. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/6104.

×

Practice or Policy	DoD Directive/Instruction	Army	Navy	Air Force	Marine Corps	Coast Guard
Referrals for Eating Disorders	None	Counseling, mental health, and nutritional group/ individual in-patient/out-patient treatment	Nutrition/medical/psychological/counseling available	Policy currently not addressed	No specific treatment program	Full-time nutrition/medical/ psychological counseling available
			Assistance program available for self-referral			Assistance program available for self-referral
Reasons for Discharge	Continued failure of weight loss over reasonable period of time	Pregnancy and overseas assignment—"it depends"	Any 3 BF/PRT failures in 4 years (NAVADMIN 071/93, 1993)	Considered if member fails to make satisfactory progress in the Weight Management Program on 4 occasions (AFI 40-502, 1994)	?	Fails to comply with the weight standards by the end of their probationary period or upon initial medical referral, an underlying medical condition is found, and the medical officer determines that any weight loss/fat loss by member would be detrimental to the member's health, separation procedures are initiated
			Waiver (review) for above (NAVADMIN 148/94, 1994)
			Diagnosis of bulimia or anorexia nervosa
NOTE: DoD, Department of Defense; BF, body fat; PRT, physical readiness test; VO₂max, maximal oxygen consumption. * See Table B-2 for equations. ^† Number of sit-ups performed in 2 minutes.

Page 259 Cite

Suggested Citation:"B Practices and Policies Tables." Institute of Medicine. 1998. Assessing Readiness in Military Women: The Relationship of Body, Composition, Nutrition, and Health. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/6104.

×

TABLE B-2 U.S. Military Body Composition Equations

Army (Vogel et al., 1988)

Men

Percent fat = 76.5 × Log₁₀(abdomen II* - neck) - 68.7 × Log₁₀(height) + 46.9

R = 0.82, SEE = 4.02

Women

Percent fat = 105.3 × Log₁₀(weight) - 0.200 × wrist - 0.533 × neck - 1.574 × forearm + 0.173 × hip -0.515 × height - 35.6

R = 0.82, See = 3.60

Navy (Hodgdon and Beckett, 1984a, b) and Air Force

Men

Density = -0.191 × Log₁₀(abdomen II -neck) + 0.155 × Log₁₀(height) + 1.032

Percent fat = 100 × [(4.95/density) - 4.5]

R = 0.90, SEE = 3.52

Women

Density = -0.350 × Log₁₀(abdomen I^† + hip + neck) + 0.221 × Log₁₀ (height) + 1.296

Percent fat = 100 × [(4.95/density) - 4.5]

R = 0.85, SEE = 3.72

Marine Corps (Wright et al., 1980, 1981)

Men

Percent fat = 0.740 × abdomen II - 1.249 × neck + 40.985

R = 0.81, SEE = 3.67

Women

Percent fat = 1.051 × biceps - 1.522 × forearm - 0.879 × neck + 0.326 × abdomen II + 0.597 × thigh + 0.707

R = 0.73, SEE = 4.11

NOTE: Circumference measurements and height are in centimeters. SEE, standard error of the estimate.

* Abdomen II is the circumference, measured in transverse plane, at the level of the umbilicus.

^† Abdomen I is the ''natural waist" and is defined as the smallest circumference, measured in the transverse plane, obtained between the lower margin of the xiphoid process and the umbilicus.

SOURCE: Adapted from Hodgdon (1992).

Page 260 Cite

Suggested Citation:"B Practices and Policies Tables." Institute of Medicine. 1998. Assessing Readiness in Military Women: The Relationship of Body, Composition, Nutrition, and Health. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/6104.

×

References

AFI (Air Force Instruction) 40-502. 1994. See U.S. Department of the Air Force, 1994.

AFI (Air Force Instruction) 40-501. 1996. See U.S. Department of the Air Force, 1996.

AFI (Air Force Instruction) 44-102. 1996. See U.S. Department of the Air Force, 1996.

AR (Army Regulation) 600-9. 1986. See U.S. Department of the Army, 1986.

AR (Army Regulation) 350-41. 1993. See U.S. Department of the Army, 1993.

AR (Army Regulation) 40-501. 1995. See U.S. Department of the Army, 1995.

COMDTINST (Commandant Instruction) M1020.8C. 1994. See U.S. Department of the Navy, U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, 1994.

DoDI (Department of Defense Instruction) 1308.3. 1995. See U.S. Department of Defense, 1995.

FM (Field Manual) 21-20. 1992. See U.S. Department of the Army, 1992.

Hodgdon, J.A. 1992. Body composition in the military services: Standards and methods. Pp. 57–70 in Body Composition and Physical Performance, Applications for the Military Services, B.M. Marriott and J. Grumstrup-Scott, eds. Committee on Military Nutrition Research, Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press.

Hodgdon, J.A., and M.B. Beckett. 1984a. Prediction of percent body fat for U.S. Navy men from body circumferences and height. Report no. 84-11. San Diego, Calif.: Naval Health Research Center.

Hodgdon, J.A., and M.B. Beckett. 1984b. Prediction of percent body fat for U.S. Navy women from body circumferences and height . Report no. 84-29. San Diego, Calif.: Naval Health Research Center.

MCO (Marine Corps Order) 500.12D. 1995. See U.S. Department of the Navy, U.S. Marine Corps Headquarters, 1995.

NAVADMIN (Naval Administrative Message) 071/93. 1993. See U.S. Department of the Navy, 1993.

NAVADMIN (Naval Administrative Message) 148/94. 1994. See U.S. Department of the Navy, 1994.

NAVOP (Naval Operational Message) 064/90. 1990. See U.S. Department of the Navy, 1990.

OPNAVINST (Naval Operations Instruction) 6000.1A. 1989. See U.S. Department of the Navy, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, 1989.

OPNAVINST (Naval Operations Instruction) 6110.1D. 1990. See U.S. Department of the Navy, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, 1990.

U.S. Department of Defense. 1995. Department of Defense Instruction 1308.3. "Physical Fitness and Body Fat Programs." August 30. Washington, D.C.

U.S. Department of the Air Force. 1994. Air Force Instruction 40-502. "The Weight Management Program." November 7. Washington, D.C.

U.S. Department of the Air Force. 1996. Air Force Instruction 40-501. "The Air Force Fitness Program." February 1. Washington, D.C.

U.S. Department of the Air Force. 1996. Air Force Instruction 44-102. "Patient Care and Management of Clinical Services." February 1. Washington, D.C.

U.S. Department of the Army. 1986. Army Regulation 600-9. "The Army Weight Control Program." September 1. Washington, D.C.

U.S. Department of the Army. 1992. Field Manual 21-20. "Physical Fitness Training." September 30. Washington, D.C.

U.S. Department of the Army. 1993. Army Regulation 350-41. "Training in Units." March 19. Washington, D.C.

U.S. Department of the Army. 1995. Army Regulation 40-501. "Standards of Medical Fitness." August 30. Washington, D.C.

U.S. Department of the Navy. 1990. Naval Operational Message 064/90. "Physical Readiness Program." June 22. Washington, D.C.

Page 261 Cite

Suggested Citation:"B Practices and Policies Tables." Institute of Medicine. 1998. Assessing Readiness in Military Women: The Relationship of Body, Composition, Nutrition, and Health. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/6104.

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U.S. Department of the Navy. 1993. Naval Administrative Message 071/93. "Physical Readiness Program Changes." April 29. Washington, D.C.

U.S. Department of the Navy. 1994. Naval Administrative Message 148/94. "Physical Readiness Program Changes." August 25. Washington, D.C.

U.S. Department of the Navy, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. 1989. Naval Operations Instruction 6000.1A. "Management of Pregnant Women." February 21. Washington, D.C.

U.S. Department of the Navy, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. 1990. Naval Operations Instruction 6110.1D. "Physical Readiness Program." January 18. Washington, D.C.

U.S. Department of the Navy, U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters. 1994. Commandant Instruction M1020.8C. "Allowable Weight Standards for the Health and Well-Being of Coast Guard Military Personnel." Washington, D.C.

U.S. Department of the Navy, U.S. Marine Corps Headquarters. 1995. Marine Corps Order 500.12D. "Marine Corps Policy on Pregnancy and Parenthood." October 4. Washington, D.C.

Vogel, J.A., J.W. Kirkpatrick, P.I. Fitzgerald, J.A. Hodgdon, and E.A. Harman. 1988. Derivation of anthropometry based body fat equations for the Army's weight control program. Technical report no. T1788. Natick, Mass.: U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine.

Wright, H.F, C.O. Dotson, and P.O. Davis. 1980. An investigation of assessment techniques for body composition of women Marines. U.S. Navy Med. 71:15–26.

Wright, H.F., C.O. Dotson, and P.O. Davis. 1981. Simple techniques for measurement of percent body fat in man. U.S. Navy Med. 72:23–27.

Page 262 Cite

Suggested Citation:"B Practices and Policies Tables." Institute of Medicine. 1998. Assessing Readiness in Military Women: The Relationship of Body, Composition, Nutrition, and Health. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/6104.

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