Army Body Composition Program Flashcards
What is the purpose of the Army Body Composition Program (ABCP)?
To ensure all Soldiers achieve and maintain optimal well-being and performance under all conditions.
What is Body Composition?
Lean body mass & Body fat
How does body composition contribute to mission requirements?
It is an indicator of physical readiness that is associated with the individual’s fitness, endurance, and overall health.
What duties are performed by the Master Fitness Trainer (MFT)?
Train fitness training NCOs in proper height, weight, and body circumference to assess body fat.
What are the ABCP standards?
- Soldiers will be screened every six months at a minimum.
- The only authorized method of estimating body fat is the tape method.
- Commanders have the authority to direct a body fat assessment on any Soldier they determine does not present Soldierly appearance.
- Soldiers identified as exceeding the body fat standard will be flagged.
Who is exempt from the ABCP screening?
- Soldiers with major limb loss
- Pregnant and postpartum Soldiers.
- Soldiers who have gone under prolonged hospitalization for 30 days or more.
- New recruits regardless of component will have 180 days from entry to service to meet the retention body fat standard.
How many days are recommended to give Soldiers between taking the ACFT and a weigh in?
Seven days so Soldiers do not attempt to lose weight quickly which might result is a poor ACFT performance.
What occurs if a Soldier does not meet the height and weight standard?
- The Soldier will be enrolled in the ABCP.
- The Soldier will be notified by the Commander of their enrollment.
- The Soldier will be provided exercise guidance by the MFT.
- Counseling by a registered dietitian on sleep, activity and performance nutrition.
- Performance enhancement training to promote efficiency during H2F from a performance expert.
- Education and coaching on healthy sleep, activity, and nutrition behaviors and weight measurement by the Army Wellness Center.
What actions are taken when a Soldier exceeds the height and weight standards?
- Notification Counseling: Within three working days of a flag action using DA Form 268, and two working days from initiating the flag to counsel and enroll them in the ABCP.
- Soldier Action Plan: Within 14 days of notification counseling, the Soldier respond with an action plan confirming they read USAPHC TG 358, provide a time and date of the nutrition counseling, and indicate what approach they intend to use to work towards meeting the Height &Weight standard.
- Nutrition Counseling: Within 30 days after enrollment in the ABCP, they must meet with a dietitian to receive a counseling.
What happens during the monitoring period after the Soldier is enrolled in the ABCP?
- Every 30 days a monthly ABCP assessment is conducted to measure the Soldier’s progress. The results are annotated on DA FORM 5500 Males/5501 Females.
- A monthly loss of 3-8 pounds or 1% body fat are considered safely attainable goals and the Soldier will be considered making satisfactory progress.
- Commanders and supervisors will provide additional support, guidance and resources to enhance the Soldier’s success.
When would a Soldier be considered failing the program?
- If they exhibit less than satisfactory progress on two consecutive ABCP assessment.
- After 6 months in the ABCP and they still exceed the body fat standards and exhibits less than satisfactory progress for 3 more monthly assessments.
What actions are taking if a Soldier is removed from the ABCP?
- An administrative removal from the ABCP immediately after the standard is achieved.
- Remove the flag action and counsel the Soldier on the importance of maintain a healthy body composition and the potential consequences if the Soldier is re-enrolled in the ABCP within 36 months.
What happens if a Soldier fails a body fat assessment within 36 months of release from the ABCP?
- Failure within 12 months after release:
a. A 268-flag action.
b. Medical evaluation to determine if there is a medical condition causing the failure.
c. Initiate separation action, bar to continued service or transfer to Individual Ready Reserve (IRR). - After 12 months but less than 36 months from release:
a. A 268-flag action.
b. Medical exam, if no medical issues the Soldier will be re-enrolled in the ABCP
c. The Soldier will have 90 days to meet the standard.
d. If no progress after 90 days will be considered failures.
e. Separation action, bar to continued service or transfer to IRR.
How does the ABCP treat pregnancy?
- They will be exempt from the standard for the duration of the pregnancy plus 180 days after it ends. If they don’t meet the standard after that they will be enrolled in the ABCP.
- If they become pregnant while enrolled in the ABCP they will remain flagged.
- If they become pregnant while enrolled in the ABCP they will not be held to the monitoring standard but will continue to participate in nutrition counseling.
- They will be enrolled in the Pregnancy Postpartum Physical Training (P3T) program.
- Soldiers who entered or re-entered the ABCP will be considered a first-time entry.
How many members will be utilized in taking measurement of the body circumference method?
Two. The MFT and one more NCO certified in body circumference measurement method.
