Impact of nutritional care upon return-to-duty rates

Returning soldiers to duty is a primary goal of the medical department. One of the most critical factors in achieving this goal is the soldier's nutritional status--both prior to the trauma and during treatment. This article reviews the role of nutrition in healthy lifestyles, the effect of stress and the role of nutrition in wound healing, and the role of the registered dietitian in providing nutritional care. Implications for maximizing the return-to-duty rate through inclusion of a registered dietitian on the treatment team are identified.