Korean J Aerosp Environ Med.  2005 Apr;15(1):11-17.

A Survey of Health-related Lifestyle of the ROKAF Pilots

• Kim DW
• Ahn HC
• Chung KY
• Kim C

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The present study was undertaken to know health-related lifestyles of Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) pilots and to investigate prevalence of obesity of them.METHODS: 1284 KAF pilots were checked their height, weight, and body composition (% body fat). We also tried questionnaires on their health-related lifestyles which included the effort to be healthy, whether they know weight training is beneficial to G-tolerance, exercise habit and smoking history.
RESULTS
Pilots' attitude for health promotion was relatively passive. Many of them know that weight training is good for their G-tolerance, but only 8.1% of the pilots carried out that training. They engaged much more in aerobic training, and also fighter pilots are less participated in weight training than transport pilots. The prevalence of obesity (29.4%) determined by bioelectrical impedance analysis was much higher than that assessed on the basis of height and weight (BMI, body mass index). It is suggested that many pilots who were normal in BMI have abdominal or visceral obesity.
CONCLUSION
The health promotion program and physical conditioning program related to increasing G tolerance of KAF pilots flying high-performance aircraft are very important. These programs must be organized and progressed with flight surgeon and Aeromedical center in Chung-ju as leaders.

Keyword

Health-related lifestyles; G-tolerance; Weight training; Abdominal obesity; Helath promotion program

MeSH Terms

Aircraft
Body Composition
Chungcheongbuk-do
Diptera
Electric Impedance
Health Promotion
Life Style*
Obesity
Obesity, Abdominal
Prevalence
Republic of Korea
Smoke
Smoking
Surveys and Questionnaires
Smoke