Research Paper Title
Nutrition Knowledge and Supplement Use Among Elite U.S. Army Soldiers.
Background
A US Army Special Forces (SF) unit was studied to determine the characteristics of supplement users, assess nutrition knowledge and identify nutrition information sources.
Methods
SF-qualified (n = 119) and non-SF, support soldiers (n = 38) participated.
Results
Most soldiers (87%) reported current supplement use with more SF (90%) than non-SF, support soldiers (76%) using supplements (p < or = 0.05). Supplements SF reported using most were multivitamins, sports bars/drinks, and vitamin C. The mean nutrition knowledge score for all soldiers was 48.5 +/- 15.2% correct responses. Most soldiers incorrectly believe protein is used for energy for short-term athletic events (64%) and that vitamins provide energy (58%).
Conclusions
The most common information sources reportedly used were popular magazines/books (75%), friends/teammates (55%), physicians/nurses, radio/television (34%), and the Internet (31%).
Source: Bovill, M.E., Tharion, W.J. & Lieberman, H.R. (2003) Nutrition Knowledge and Supplement Use Among Elite U.S. Army Soldiers. Military Medicine. 168(12), pp.997-1000.
