The Effects of Diet and Exercise on the Blood Lipid Panels and Body Compositions of the Marine Corps Officer Candidate Population

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the U. S. It is responsible for almost half of the nation's mortality, and related treatment costs exceed an estimated $90 billion annually. Elevated serum cholesterol levels are causally related to an increased risk of coronary heart disease. In 2000, the national priorities for health promotion and disease prevention specifically targeted measures designed to increase physical activity, decrease obesity, and improve nutrition. Objectives for reducing heart disease and stroke include reducing mean serum cholesterol levels and dietary fat intake. Health promotion efforts for Department of Defense personnel are focused on ensuring optimal combat readiness and controlling spiraling health care costs.

The purpose of the study was to determine if the programmed diet and exercise routines of the Marine Corps Officer Candidates School (OCS) in Quantico, Virginia, significantly affected students' blood lipid panels and body composition over the course of the 10-week program.

Two health appraisals were completed by study participants and physical parameters were obtained. During the first week of the program, 12-hour fasting blood samples were drawn. The same tests were repeated at the tenth and final week of OCS.

The only statistically significant correlation (p .05) between changes in blood chemistries and changes in diet or exercise was a negative correlation between triglycerides and changes in PFT score. Analysis was executed in a cooperative arrangement with the Naval Health Research Center (NHRC) in San Diego, California.

Primary prevention must become a priority for nurses and all other health professionals in these days of spiraling health care costs and national health care reform. Nurses are strategically positioned to provide valuable education programs to prevent disease and promote the health of individuals in a multitude of clinical settings.

Final Report is available on NTRL: https://ntrl.ntis.gov/NTRL/dashboard/searchResults/titleDetail/PB2007107...