Impact of National Service on BMI Trajectory, Comparison of Male and Female Cohorts
Main Applicant – SLTC (DR) Goh Jit Khong, Head, Force Health Group, Headquarters Medical Corps, Singapore Armed Forces (SAF)

In Singapore, all eligible males must complete two years of mandatory National Service (NS) at ages 18-20. During NS, recruits undergo health screenings and participate in structured physical training and in-house meals. This study examines i) whether NS has lasting effects on body weight and health and ii) whether NS health screenings can prognosticate longer term health status and health needs.

The research team will analyze health data from approximately 360,000 male servicemen from 2006-2023, tracking their Body Mass Index (BMI) before, during, and after NS. They will compare these trends with male and female populations who do not serve NS, and examine childhood health records to understand weight patterns from primary school through adulthood.

The study aims to answer key questions: Does NS help men maintain healthier weights long-term? Can health status during NS predict future medical conditions and healthcare costs? Are there lasting benefits from the physical training and structured lifestyle during military service?

Findings could help Singapore Armed Forces improve health programs for servicemen and assist the Ministry of Health in developing better obesity prevention strategies. The research can help guide and demonstrate whether intervention and prevention strategies during young adulthood can have lasting positive effects on population health and reduce healthcare costs over time.