The US Army has introduced a new approach to measuring body fat in warfighters more accurately.
The new process replaces the Army Body Composition Program’s (ABCP) fat composition assessment with a one-site tape test across the belly.
The previous method involved tape tests around the subject’s belly and neck. Meanwhile, the corresponding height and weight screening will remain throughout the program.
Alongside the US Army, changes applied to the ABCP will be facilitated under the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) in the Army National Guard and Army Reserve.
“From the clinical application in the medical world, a waist circumference, abdominal around your belly button, is linked to long-term health outcomes,” US Army G-1’s Sgt. Maj. Christopher Stevens explained.
“Not only are we looking at the performance of the Soldier today, but the long-term health of the Soldier in years to come within the Army.”
Supporting Soldiers
Soldiers who cannot pass the ABCP will be assisted in attaining a healthier lifestyle to conform to army standards.
Personnel that fails the new test can also take the previous method. Soldiers may be flagged if they fail both assessments, negatively impacting their careers.
A final reconsideration is applied if the soldier passes a supplemental assessment with the Dual X-ray Absorptiometry, InBody 770, or Bod Pod systems.
“We want to help them, we want to put them on a health promotion track, work with some dietitians and some trainers and bring them up to standard,” US Army Body Composition Study Lead Researcher Holly McClung stated.
“It’s making sure that we’re helping our Soldiers today, as well as in the long run.”
Maintaining Readiness
The new ABCP test’s development is based on a service-wide study completed earlier this year.
It found that the older method enables some soldiers to pass when they should have failed and vice versa.
The study was conducted with over 2,600 participants.
“We were hearing a lot from Soldiers in listening sessions and other forums who were concerned with the ACFT. One of the main outcomes of this study was the first time that the Army has actually linked physical performance to body composition,” McClung said.
“This new policy will increase the readiness of the force by giving every Soldier a more accurate assessment of their health and fitness,” Stevens added.
“The overall focus of the program is to have an effective and accurate assessment of the holistic health and fitness of the force, while at the same time providing Soldiers with the resources they need to improve and preserve individual and unit readiness.”
