Today's Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors and Marines are not free from the influences of poor dietary choices and reduced physical activity while deployed. Nutrition and the overall health of service members play a critical role in both readiness and daily life during a deployment.

Conditions of deployment such as heavy body armor, climate extremes, and changes to diet and exercise habits may adversely affect optimal health. Dehydration, fatigue, and psychological stress may also affect service member's performance during missions and combat operations.

According to the Office of Army Demographics enlisted Soldiers comprise 83 percent of the total Army force and 68 percent are between 17 and 29 years of age. This age range coincides with the period of peak bone mass, when bone growth and bone minerals have stabilized. Though genetic factors account for 60 percent to 80 percent of peak bone mass the remainder is influenced by hormones, diet, environment, and exercise.

Weight-bearing exercise and proper food choices, containing calcium and vitamin D, are among the best ways to promote strong bones and minimize the risk of stress fractures. Knowledge of nutrition and proper exercise improve the physical and mental performance critical to mission accomplishment.

Many deploying service members have a goal of getting or staying fit and plan to spend free time in the gym during a deployment. It is an attainable goal and many service members deserve praise for their determination and success. However, the number of overweight service members has increased dramatically since the beginning of Overseas Contingency Operations. There is also overwhelming evidence that links unhealthy weight to increased risk for health conditions such as diabetes mellitus, heart disease, hypertension, and certain cancers. Being overweight also puts additional stress on the body, particularly in joints.

Although opportunities for healthy eating and regular physical activity are available many deployed service members often return home overweight. Unlimited portions, high calorie foods and beverages, as well as an emphasis on special meals (e.g. steak and lobster night) may be partly to blame for weight gained during deployment.

Another contributor may be that the field environment will often have less emphasis on structured physical training, physical fitness tests, or regular weigh-ins. This disrupts the routine for maintaining a balance of energy in and energy out.

Returning from a deployment can also be a difficult time to maintain a healthy weight. Challenges may arise when favorite foods are once again available or if the redeployment process happens to relax a unit's physical training regimen. Ultimately, unhealthy weight is a consequence of complex factors to include an increased consumption of high fat, high calorie foods, decreased physical activity, genetic influences, and various environmental factors.

The Madigan Center for Nursing Science and Clinical Inquiry has several studies in progress to examine ways to improve the overall health and nutrition status of service members. These studies address the health issues service members face, why they happen, and what strategies may prevent them in the future. Internet technology allows researchers stateside to offer deployed service members expert advice from nutritionists, an exercise physiologist, and nurses.

As a team, service members and healthcare professionals can work together toward better overall health, increased readiness, and fewer preventable injuries. Encouraging service members to increase their vitamin D intake, make better food choices, drink enough water, quit smoking, and commit to weight loss are just a few of the many ways Madigan researchers and their fellow healthcare professionals help service members improve their health.