Obesity and Health Risk Factors in Czech Artillery Soldiers.

Czech Artillery Soldiers had nearly identical mean body fat percentage to U.S. Army soldiers.

• Mean %BF was 24.3% in Czech men versus 24.3% in U.S. men.
• Mean %BF was 33.8% in Czech women versus 33.3% in U.S. women.
• Body composition was assessed using DXA with a Hologic Horizon system.
• Sample consisted of 209 active-duty Czech Artillery Soldiers (189 men, 20 women).

A high prevalence of excessive body fat was observed among Czech Artillery Soldiers.

• Excessive %BF (≥25%) was observed in 41.2% of all participants.
• The study used DXA-based %BF thresholds to classify participants.
• Czech soldiers are not required to meet specific %BF standards, unlike U.S. Armed Forces soldiers.
• The prevalence of excessive fat in Czech soldiers had previously been unknown.

Age group was a significant predictor of both visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and body fat percentage.

• Age group was a significant predictor of VAT (ω² = 0.20, df = 6, H = 42.51, P < .001).
• Age group was a significant predictor of %BF (ω² = 0.07, df = 6, H = 18.73, P < .005).
• Older participants exhibited higher levels of both VAT and %BF.
• Statistical analyses included Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests, 1-way ANOVA, and generalized linear models (GLM) with age as a covariate.

Osteopenia was highly prevalent, reaching approximately 20% in both male and female Czech Artillery Soldiers.

• Osteopenia prevalence reached 20% in both sexes.
• Health classifications for bone health were derived using BMD T-scores for osteopenia and osteoporosis.
• Bone mineral density (BMD) was assessed as part of the DXA scan protocol.
• The authors describe this prevalence as high and note it underscores the need for screening practices and targeted interventions.

There were no significant differences in any measured body composition variable among units of the Czech Artillery Brigade when age was taken into account.

• The generalized linear model (GLM) revealed no significant differences among units when age was considered as a covariate.
• This finding was described as 'contrary to expectations' by the authors.
• Variables assessed included %BF, fat-free mass, VAT, and BMD.
• The randomized cross-sectional study design included participants from multiple units of the Czech Artillery Brigade.

The study used a randomized cross-sectional design with DXA scanning on 209 healthy active-duty Czech Artillery Soldiers.

• Sample included 189 men and 20 women.
• All participants were healthy adult active-duty soldiers.
• DXA scans were performed using a Hologic Horizon system.
• The protocol was approved by an institutional ethics committee (No. 246/2021).
• Statistical comparisons included Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests, 1-way ANOVA, and GLM.