Depression in entry-level military personnel.

OBJECTIVE: The goal was to determine the prevalence of, and risk factors for, depression in an entry-level U.S. Army population. METHOD: A cross-sectional survey of U.S. Army soldiers in advanced individual training was performed by using an anonymous self-report survey including demographic data, history (including abuse and psychiatric treatment), and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. RESULTS: Soldiers in advanced individual training (n = 1,184) were approached, and 1,090 (91.2%; 955 male soldiers and 135 female soldiers) voluntarily chose to participate. Eleven percent reported a psychiatric history, 26% reported a history of abuse, and 15.9% endorsed moderate or more severe current depressive symptoms (male, 15.0%; female, 22.2%). A history of psychiatric treatment (odds ratio, 2.08; 95% confidence interval, 1.21-3.59; p = 0.009) and a history of verbal abuse (odds ratio, 4.11; 95% confidence interval, 2.45-6.90; p = 0.000) placed soldiers at higher risk for depression. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows a higher than expected rate of depression in entry-level training soldiers and identifies some risk factors for depression. This indicates an important need for further study, effective screening, preventive counseling, and early intervention.

Disordered eating in entry-level military personnel.

OBJECTIVE: The goal was to determine the prevalence of and risk factors for disordered eating in an entry-level U.S. Army population. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of advanced individual training U.S. Army soldiers at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, was performed with an anonymous self-report survey containing demographic factors, history (including abuse and psychiatric treatment), and Eating Attitudes Test-26. RESULTS: Of 1,184 advanced individual training soldiers approached, 1090 participated. The response rate was 91.2% (955 men and 135 women). Forty percent were overweight (body mass index of > or =25), 11% reported a psychiatric history, 26% reported a history of abuse, and 9.8% endorsed disordered eating (male, 7.0%; female, 29.6%), as defined by Eating Attitudes Test-26. Factors that placed soldiers at higher risk for disordered eating were female gender (odds ratio, 5.63; 95% confidence interval, 3.32-9.57; p < 0.00005), overweight (odds ratio, 3.06; 95% confidence interval, 1.92-4.89; p < 0.00005), previous psychiatric treatment (odds ratio, 1.87; 95% confidence interval, 1.04-3.36; p = 0.035), and history of verbal abuse (odds ratio, 2.02; 95% confidence interval, 1.16-3.51; p = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows a higher than expected rate of disordered eating in advanced individual training soldiers with identifiable risk factors. This indicates an important need for further study, effective screening, preventive counseling, and early intervention for treatment.