Telehealth coaching: Impact on dietary and physical activity contributions to bone health during a military deployment

Abstract

Purpose: To examine the difference in bone health and body composition via blood biomarkers, bone mineral density, anthropometrics and dietary intake following deployment to Afghanistan among soldiers randomized to receive telehealth coaching promoting nutrition and exercise. Methods: This was a prospective, longitudinal, clusterrandomized, controlled trial with repeated measures in 234 soldiers. Measures included heel bone scan for bone mineral density, blood biomarkers for bone formation, resorption, and turnover, body composition via Futrex, resting metabolic rate via MedGem, physical activity using the Baecke Habitual Physical Activity Questionnaire, and dietary intake obtained from the Block Food Frequency Questionnaire. Results: There were significant increases in body fat (p = 0.00035), osteocalcin (0.0152), and sports index (p = 0.0152) for the telehealth group. No other statistically significant differences were observed between groups. Vitamin D intake among soldiers was ≤ 35% of the suggested Dietary Reference Intakes for age. Conclusions: A 9-month deployment to Afghanistan increased body fat, bone turnover, and physical activity among soldiers randomized to receive telehealth strategies to build bone with nutrition and exercise.