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Final Dissertation Jesse Thomas.pdf (1.05 MB)

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Military Readiness Implications of the United States Obesity Epidemic: A Systematic Review with Meta-Synthesis

Thomas, Jesse Jac
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=frank1694174967764691

Abstract Details

2023, Doctorate of Healthcare Administration, Franklin University, Health Programs.
Military readiness relies upon the health of servicemembers and the ability to perform the duties of their position. Rates of overweight or obese body compositions have been found to be increasing in prevalence within the United States armed forces (Yang et al., 2021). To identify further gaps in knowledge, consolidate and synthesize information, and inform future study, a systematic review with meta-synthesis was performed under the lens of a socio-ecological framework. When searching EBSCO, PubMed, and Google Scholar, 194 results were analyzed within the PRISMA guide. Twenty articles met inclusion after review. After NVivo and manual theme identification from those marked for inclusion, information was synthesized based on the frequencies found in the collective group of articles. The results indicated 95% of the articles found rising rates of obesity in the United States armed forces were problematic for military readiness. The need to intervene was discussed in 85% of the articles found, while only 65% discussed the need to curve chronic disease related to obesity. As the Department of Defense has 1.33 million active duty and approximately 1 million more in a reserve status, policy changes are likely to have a sweeping impact (DOD Demographics, 2020). Further study is recommended to inform future policy decisions. These include researching efficacy of current standards for retention or recruitment, more analysis of reserve and guard forces, civilianizing some non-deploying active duty positions, and trending a greater number of years’ worth of data to assess temporal relationships.
Gail Frankle (Committee Chair)
David Meckstroth (Committee Member)
David McCurry (Committee Member)
112 p.
Health Care Management; Health Sciences; Military Studies; Public Health
Body Composition; Obesity; Overweight; Military; Deployment; Readiness; Military Standards

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Thomas, J. J. (2023). Military Readiness Implications of the United States Obesity Epidemic: A Systematic Review with Meta-Synthesis [Doctoral dissertation, Franklin University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=frank1694174967764691

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Thomas, Jesse. Military Readiness Implications of the United States Obesity Epidemic: A Systematic Review with Meta-Synthesis. 2023. Franklin University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=frank1694174967764691.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Thomas, Jesse. "Military Readiness Implications of the United States Obesity Epidemic: A Systematic Review with Meta-Synthesis." Doctoral dissertation, Franklin University, 2023. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=frank1694174967764691

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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© 2023, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Franklin University and OhioLINK.