Veterans & DVA
Specialist dietetic care for our defence personelle
RESEARCH
Veterans and Dietetics
Key Points
-
Veterans have high rates of obesity (~80% above healthy weight), type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and mental health conditions (PTSD, depression), all of which are targets for dietetic intervention
-
A 2022 systematic review found dietary interventions in veterans produce moderate improvements in body weight, BMI, waist circumference, and cardiometabolic biomarkers, particularly in those who are overweight/obese or have type 2 diabetes
-
PTSD and comorbid mental health conditions are a significant barrier to dietary intervention success, with veterans with PTSD losing less weight in standard programs
-
Dietitian-led interventions are integral to veteran care; the VA/DoD 2025 guideline on obesity management includes dietetics as a core component of comprehensive lifestyle interventionVA/DoD
-
In Australia, veterans can access fully funded dietetic services through DVA Gold and White Cards, with Accredited Practising Dietitians (APDs) recognised by DVA
-
Food insecurity is an important comorbidity in veterans that directly affects chronic disease outcomes and mental health
Our model of care
REPORT
Evidence for Dietetic Intervention
Weight Management
A 2022 systematic review (Nutrients) of dietary interventions in military veterans found:
-
Most studies targeted overweight/obesity and associated comorbidities
-
Interventions produced weight loss at a steady rate of 1.6–2.2 kg/year in participants enrolled in structured programs
-
Weight loss improvements were associated with reductions in fasting glucose, HbA1c, triglycerides, and systolic blood pressure
-
Barriers to success included poor attendance, high drop-out rates, and the presence of mental health conditions (particularly PTSD)
A 2026 randomised clinical trial (JAMA Network Open) of the MOVE!+UP program specifically designed for veterans with PTSD found that individualised dietitian sessions enhanced outcomes in a weight management program tailored to PTSD-related barriers.
PTSD and Mental Health
-
Diet quality can worsen or help reduce symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression
-
PTSD affects appetite regulation, producing erratic eating patterns, disordered food relationships, and altered intake
-
Veterans with PTSD enrolled in standard weight management programs lost less weight than those without mental health conditions, highlighting the need for adapted dietetic approaches
-
Emerging evidence supports omega-3 fatty acids and anti-inflammatory dietary patterns for mental health support, though veteran-specific RCT data remain limited
Cardiometabolic Conditions
-
The VA/DoD 2025 Clinical Practice Guideline for Management of Overweight and Obesity includes dietetics as a core component of comprehensive lifestyle interventionVA/DoD Clinical Practice Guidelines
-
Evidence-based dietary patterns recommended include DASH, Mediterranean, and AHA-aligned dietary approaches for cardiometabolic benefitVA/DoD Clinical Practice Guidelines
-
Even 2–5 kg weight loss in veterans with type 2 diabetes can improve fasting glucose, HbA1c, and triglyceridesPubMed Central (PMC)
Gulf War Illness (GWI)
-
A low-glutamate diet was associated with a significant decrease in total symptom scores in veterans with GWI compared to waitlisted controls
Department of Veterans Affairs
Who is eligible and what is covered?
-
Veterans with DVA Gold or White Cards are eligible for fully funded dietetic services with the Accredited Practising Dietitians (APD) at Dietetics Done Differently.
-
Accredited Practising Dietitians are the only credential recognised by DVA, Medicare, and private health funds.
-
See your GP for a referral to Dietetics Done Differently.
