Nutrition Interventions to Improve the Military Nutrition Environment Positively Impact Service Members

This systematic review examines dietary interventions in the military nutrition environment (MNE) to support the health and performance of service members (SM).

Articles that implemented a dietary intervention for active duty SMs on military installations were included in this analysis (from 2010 to 2013). Of the 723 articles yielded in screening through Covidence, 6 studies qualified to be included in this review.

Study interventions were grouped into color coding, food choice architecture, and menu modifications. All studies indicated increased nutrient intake. One study reported enhanced diet quality using the Healthy Eating Index. Two studies received positive customer feedback, and all selected studies demonstrated positive behavior modification among SM.

All studies demonstrated improvement in diet-related outcomes, and behavior modification. Many barriers exist within MNE that need to be addressed to make meaningful changes. The heterogeneity in study designs and interventions poses challenges in reaching definitive conclusions.

These results highlight the need for a more extensive examination of the military food environment across all venue types. Replication of standardized nutrition practices throughout the diverse military landscape can further impact the health, readiness, and performance of SM.