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Objective: Determine if relative body fat (%BF) remains a biological norm in physically active, non‐obese American men and women and determine reference values for other components of body composition. Methods: Participants (n = 174 men, 70 women) were physically fit U.S. Marine 2nd Lieutenants, in their third decade of physical maturity (age 21–30). Body composition was assessed by dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA); and body images were obtained by 3D body scans. Results: For men and women, respectively, %BF averaged 16.2 ± 4.1 (median 15.3), 24.3 ± 4.5 (median 23.8); fat‐free mass (FFM): 67.7 ± 7.2, 49.4 ± 5.3 kg; FFM index: 21.5 ± 1.8, 18.3 ± 1.6 kg/m2; and body mass index (BMI): 25.5 ± 1.9, 24.1 ± 2.2 kg/m2. Bone mineral content (BMC) was 5% of FFM; total body water (TBW) was 70%–72% of FFM. Physique remained similar between median and higher percentiles of %BF. Only small changes in key measures were noted across the six‐month training program. Conclusions: Mean %BF of healthy active men and women in 2021 remains very similar to the 15% and 25% posited in 1980, suggesting that relative body fat has a normal fat‐lean relationship in physically mature humans. These data may bring new attention to sex‐appropriate %BF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the use of antiobesity medications (AOMs) in active-duty military personnel. It highlights the high prevalence of obesity among soldiers and the significant costs associated with obesity-related health care. The study found that only 0.1% of active-duty service members use AOMs, despite a 100-fold increase in prescriptions since their authorization in 2018. The article also discusses the administrative barriers to AOM treatment in the Military Health System and the need for further research on the effects of AOMs on body composition and physical performance in military populations. [Extracted from the article]

Objectives: To improve predictive formulae for estimating body surface area (BSA) in healthy men and women using a modern three‐dimensional scanner technology. Methods: Body surface areas were obtained from a convenience sample of 1267 US Marines (464 women and 803 men) using a whole body surface scanner (Size Stream SS20). The reliability of SS20 measures of total and regional BSA within participants was compared across triplicate scans. We then derived a series of formulae to estimate SS20‐measured BSA using various combinations of sex, height, and mass. We also assessed relationships between percent body fat measured by dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry and sex‐specific formulae errors in Marines. Results: Body surface areas recorded by the SS20 were highly reliable whether measured for the total body or by region (ICC ≥.962). Formulae estimates of BSA from sex, height, and mass were precise (root‐mean‐square deviation, 0.031 m2). Errors from the Marine Corps formulae were positively associated with percent body fat for men (p =.001) but not women (p =.843). Conclusions: Clinicians, military leaders, and researchers can use the newly developed BSA formulae for precise estimates in healthy physically active men and women. Users should be aware that height‐ and mass‐based BSA estimates are less accurate for individuals with extremely low or high percent body fat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]