Dietary Supplements in the Military: Use, Threats, and Proposed Educational Solutions

Description

Dietary supplements are ubiquitous in the military. Approximately 75% of all U.S. service members self-report using at least one dietary supplement on a weekly basis. Service members report using dietary supplements for performance enhancement and for optimizing mission success. Unfortunately not all dietary supplements are health-promoting, and some may pose unintended risks of harm, threatening military readiness and, ultimately, one’s career. Recently, the Department of Defense has issued a formal instruction on the use of dietary supplements. The instruction mandates education for all service members and providers, ensures adverse event reporting by providers, establishes a list of prohibited ingredients, and formally establishes Operation Supplement Safety as the Department Defense’s “go-to” educational authority on dietary supplements. Operation Supplement Safety works closely with federal partners and community partners to identify gaps in resources, and develops evidence-based educational solutions. Learn how all RDNs/NDTRs can benefit from the research and progress in this important area.

Learning Objectives

Explain how dietary supplements pose a threat to military readiness

Identify effective of public/private partnerships to improve dietary supplement safety

Examine targeted solutions for closing educational gaps on dietary supplements

Performance Indicators

7.1 Identifies, analyzes and manages risks, adverse events, and safety to self, staff, clients and public

8.3 Applies the required knowledge and skill for safe and effective sports nutrition and dietetics practice and exercise training

9.3 Designs, selects and implements education strategies to meet the learning needs of individuals, groups, communities and populations

Speaker(s)

Andrea Lindsey

Senior Nutrition Scientist and Director, Operation Supplement Safety

Henry M. Jackson Foundation in support of Consortium for Health and Military Performance, Uniformed Services University

Jonathan Scott

Assistant Professor

Uniformed Services University

Moderator

Maria McConville

Senior Nutrition Health Educator

Henry M. Jackson Foundation in support of Consortium for Health and Military Performance, Uniformed Services University

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