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Army MOVE! is well underway at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center.
The new Army MOVE! Pilot Program is a standardized weight management program geared toward Soldiers on the Army Weight Control Program who have not met the body fat standards. Army MOVE! originated with the veterans administration and a version of the program was implemented in 2009 at most MTFs that had a registered dietitian.
Landstuhl is one of the Army sites tasked by the surgeon general of the Army to pilot a new iteration of Army MOVE! developed by Public Health Command to better help Soldiers get and stay off of the weight control program. This improved program shares some of the characteristics of other successful weight loss programs, including long term (three months), group instead of individual, self-monitoring of diet and physical activity, and accountability.
The program consists of six group sessions (90 minutes each) and two individual appointments (15 to 30 minutes each). At each session, the Soldier’s weight and waist circumference is measured to track if they are making progress. Soldiers are also required to bring a food and activity diary to every session and appointment. Research has shown that tracking food intake at least 75 percent of the time is key in successful weight loss and weight maintenance.
This pilot program began at LRMC in November, when the hospital was just beginning to see participants finishing the program. Early results indicate the revised program is successful, said 1st Lt. Margaret Wilson, chief of Outpatient Medical Nutrition Therapy and an Army MOVE! instructor.
“I am certain this program will provide Soldiers with a better opportunity for weight loss and weight maintenance than a single visit with a dietitian,” Wilson said. “The information that we collect through this pilot will go to Public Health Command and help to improve the program and make it better for other MTFs and Soldiers.”
Wilson said the program helps by providing education, support and accountability, but it takes a lot of hard work and dedication on the individual’s part as well. Several Soldiers at LRMC have worked hard and have already had great success with the program.
“There is no magic pill for weight loss,” Wilson said.
For more information about Army MOVE!, visit www.us.army.mil/suite/designer.
