(P22-023-24) Dietary Knowledge, Habits, and Barriers Among Reserve Officer Training Corps Cadets

Objectives: Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) cadets’ highly demanding lifestyle may negatively impact health and performance. As well, reports suggest they are at risk for poor nutrition, i.e., low energy availability or not meeting Military Dietary Reference Intakes. Yet, there are limited data on the barriers to proper nutrition and eating habits among ROTC cadets. This study investigated the dietary habits of ROTC cadets and the factors or barriers influencing them.

Methods: Cross-sectional data were obtained from 174 male (n=144) and female (n=30) ROTC cadets (age = 18.7±1.2; height = 176.4±8.5 cm; weight = 74.7±12.8 kg; body mass index = 23.9±3.1 kg/m²) regarding the importance of healthy eating, via validated paper-based questionnaires, which included the Food Choice Questionnaire. Questionnaire data were analyzed using SPSS version 29 software. Shapiro-Wilk Test was used to assess normality for continuous variables. Categorical data are reported as frequencies (n) and total percentages. Chi-square analyses were used to determine independence (p < 0.05) for ethnic groups, sex, and commission status.

Results: Of the 174 cadets whom completed the questionnaires, importance was placed on food that keeps them healthy (n=65, 37.3%), is nutritious (n=63, 36.2%), tastes good (n=84, 48.2%), has good monetary value (n=77, 44.2%), helps control body weight (n=33, 18.9%), is low in fat (n=15, 8.6%), makes them feel good (n=50, 28.7%), helps them cope with stress (n=28, 16.0%), helps them to relax (n=32, 18.3%), is low in calories (n=14, 8.0%), and helps them cope with life (n=24, 13.7%). Additionally, chi-squared analyses showed significant associations (p < 0.05) with ethnic groups, sex, and commission status.

Conclusions: The cohort of ROTC cadets identified several areas of importance such as food that keeps them healthy, is nutritious, tastes good, has good monetary value, helps control body weight, is low in fat, makes them feel good, helps them cope with stress, helps them to relax, is low in calories, and helps them cope with life. Responses also seemed to vary between sex, ethnic group, and commission status. These findings could aid nutrition practitioners in creating preferable diets with greater adherence in ROTC cadets.

Funding Sources: None