The introduction of health behavior profiles in the Hungarian Defense Forces: a cluster analysis of lifestyle factors according to the health screening tests performed in 2011­2015

Objectives: The main aim of this study was to examine the health behavior patterns of soldiers in the Hungarian Defense Forces and to introduce health behavior profiles according to the cluster analysis of lifestyle factors. Material and Methods: The soldiers (N = 5475) who underwent health tests in 2011­2015 participated in this cross-sectional study. The factors included in the analysis are the following: age, sex, diseases diagnosed, the body mass index, eating habits, the smoking status, daily physical activity, sporting habits, the presence of psychosomatic symptoms, mental toughness and sleep apnea. The response options for each factor were scored on a linear scale; the minimum number of points available was ­47.5 pts and the maximum number was 48.5 pts according to the 24 factors. Finally, the authors created health profiles typical of the pattern with the cluster analysis of the data. Results: As a result of the cluster analysis, 16 distinct profiles were found, 10 of which differed significantly (p < 0.05) from each other. The lowest point value achieved was 3.1 pts and the highest was 26.2 pts. The lowest number of points was achieved by the cluster, 1.8% of the sample, with the highest average age (43.5±7.2 years) in which women showed the highest participation (46%). The 2 clusters with the highest numbers of points, 2.9% and 5.5% of the sample, were the 2 groups with the lowest average age (33.7±7.1 years and 34.3±7.9 years). Conclusions: The significance of the health profiles obtained during this examination with the Hungarian Defense Forces is that the health promotion intervention opportunities may be determined by clusters, the health behavior factor with which the authors can reach higher health benefits can be chosen and the effectiveness of the interventions carried out can be traced easily. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2019;32(1):99­114

Predicting how health behaviours contribute to the development of diseases within a military population in the Hungarian Defence Forces.

INTRODUCTION: Recent legislative amendments in Hungary have resulted in the possibility for early retirement being abolished in the Hungarian Defence Forces. The retirement age for professional soldiers has also increased to 65 years, thereby greatly increasing the average length of military service. This necessitates greater attention to the health and care of service personnel due to the increase of chronic non-communicable diseases with age. The aim of this research was to identify how health behaviours might potentially contribute to diseases in the Hungarian Defence Forces. METHODS: All members of the Hungarian Defence Forces undergoing health screenings between 2011 and 2015 were assessed. Health variables analysed were derived from the health screening data sheet which is collected from every member of the Hungarian Defence Forces undergoing a health screening since 2009. Items recorded were connected to health behaviour (physical activity, nutrition, smoking), subjective well-being (psychosomatic backache, fatigue and quality of waking up to describe the quality of sleep), sociodemographic data (age, gender) and the mental toughness quotient (MTQ). A logistic regression model was utilised to predict how health behaviour may affect the development of disease. RESULTS: Factors most associated with the development of disease included psychosomatic backache (P<0.000), age (P<0.001), frequency of undertaking sports (P<0.05), quality of sleeping and waking up (P<0.05) and the assessment of gender differences (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Extension of the length of active service will result in an increased burden of disease for members of the Hungarian Defence Forces. This includes both physical and psychological morbidity that could potentially be obstacles for service personnel to perform their military duties. Health behaviours such as psychosomatic backache, the frequency of performing sports and sleep quality may predict the development of disease and should be explored in health screening consultations.