US Navy Sailors Modify Their Eating Behaviors to Pass Cyclic Physical Readiness Tests

Objective

Investigate the influence of physical readiness tests (PRTs) on eating behaviors among US Navy Sailors.

Design

Focused ethnography using interviews and military policies.

Setting

Three US Naval installations.

Participants

Active-duty enlisted Sailors (n = 32).

Phenomenon of Interest

Eating behaviors.

Analysis

Authors analyzed data iteratively with data collection using domain, taxonomy, and thematic analysis to identify culturally relevant codes, domains, and themes.

Results

Five themes corresponded with PRT timing and Sailors’ perceived ability to meet standards: (1) maintain usual eating habits, (2) get ready and switch it up, (3) make weight—damage control, (4) return to baseline—PRT is over, and (5) eat whatever—PRT is canceled. In contrast to the PRT policy's goal for Sailors to maintain standards and a healthy lifestyle, many Sailors modified their usual eating behaviors to pass the test.

Conclusion and Implications

Changes in eating behaviors during PRT cycles highlight a culture of getting ready vs staying ready, suggesting many Sailors do not eat a nutrient-dense diet to maintain the minimum physical fitness and body composition standards. There is a need for nutrition education for healthy weight maintenance, weight gain prevention, and healthy weight loss among military personnel.