Cadet Health for Improving Health Behaviors

Overseen By Nicole Wesley

Age: Any Age

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Pennington Biomedical Research Center

Disqualifiers: Not in YCP program

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

100 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to understand the health needs of young people in the Louisiana National Guard Youth Challenge Program, focusing on nutrition, fitness, sleep, and mental well-being. The researchers will use this information to create a program called Cadet Health, designed to prepare these individuals for the Army. The program includes guidance on exercise, healthy eating, and stress management. It suits staff, leaders, or cadets already in the YCP program. As an unphased trial, participants can help develop a comprehensive health program tailored to their unique needs.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that this program is safe for young individuals?

The Cadet Health program helps young people improve health habits, such as eating well, staying fit, getting enough sleep, and caring for their mental health, as they prepare to join the military. Research has shown that programs like this are generally safe. They encourage healthy habits without using medications or treatments that might cause side effects.

The trial is marked as "Not Applicable" in phase, indicating no specific safety concerns with the activities involved. It focuses on changing behaviors and learning, not testing a new drug or medical device, which means the risk of negative effects is very low. Overall, the program aims to help participants become healthier and stronger, both physically and mentally. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about Cadet Health because it takes a comprehensive approach to improving health behaviors in young individuals preparing to join the military. Unlike traditional methods that might focus solely on physical training or mental resilience, this program integrates both physical and mental optimization. This holistic method aims to prepare participants not just physically but also mentally, offering a more balanced and effective preparation for military life. By addressing both aspects together, Cadet Health could enhance readiness and resilience more effectively than current single-faceted approaches.

What evidence suggests that the Cadet Health program is effective for improving health behaviors?

Research shows that the Cadet Health program, particularly through the Aim High initiative, aims to improve health habits in a military environment. Participants in this trial will engage in the Aim High Program, which integrates physical and mental optimization training. One study found that cadets had high initial success rates in physical tests, with 92% passing a strength test and 96% passing a push-up test. This indicates that the program effectively prepares participants physically. The program also offers advice on nutrition, exercise, sleep, and stress management, which are important for overall health and readiness. Early findings suggest that these aspects can help young people enhance their physical and mental well-being as they prepare to join the military. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for staff, cadre, or cadets involved in the Louisiana National Guard Youth Challenge Program. It aims to assess and improve their health behaviors such as nutrition, fitness, sleep, and mental resilience.

Inclusion Criteria

You need to be a staff member, a cadre, or a cadet in the YCP program.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Needs Assessment

Comprehensive needs assessment of the Louisiana National Guard Youth Challenge Program related to nutrition, fitness, sleep, and mental health and resilience

16 months

Intervention Skills Training

Development and implementation of an integrated physical and mental optimization training program, including nutrition, physical activity, sleep, and stress reduction guidance

16 months

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for program satisfaction, weight, height, body fat, depression, body esteem, anxiety, perceived stress, coping, knowledge & attitudes, and eating competence

16 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Cadet Health

Trial Overview The study will conduct a needs assessment followed by an intervention program focusing on physical and mental optimization. This includes environmental changes and guidance on nutrition, exercise, sleep habits, stress reduction, and coping strategies.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Aim High Program Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Integrated physical and mental optimization training program used as tool for young individuals readying themselves to join the military

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Pennington Biomedical Research Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

314

Recruited

183,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Injuries and illnesses during Basic Cadet Training (BCT) at the Air Force Academy are significantly influenced by risk factors such as being female, being an intercollegiate athlete, and having an obese body mass index (BMI).

The study suggests that future medical surveillance and prevention efforts should specifically target females, recruited athletes, and individuals with high BMIs to reduce common issues like ankle sprains and respiratory infections, which can lead to lost training time.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Epidemiology of injuries and illnesses during the United States Air Force Academy 2002 Basic Cadet Training program: documenting the need for prevention. Billings, CE.[2022]

In a 12-week program involving 50 veterans, over two-thirds experienced weight loss and reported improvements in health, mood, energy levels, and social engagement through a structured exercise and wellness initiative.

The 'battle-buddy' concept effectively paired college athletes with veterans, demonstrating that such peer support can enhance physical health and foster community among Student Service Members/Veterans.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

College Warrior Athlete Initiative and academic nursing. Burgess, AW., Thabault, P., Kiernan, L., et al.[2021]

A study of 100 cadets at the Air Force Military Academy found that while 71.3% had normal body weight, 25.3% were overweight and 3.4% were obese, with obesity primarily observed in older students (16.2%).

Younger cadets (1st and 2nd years) were significantly more active, covering greater distances daily compared to older cadets (4th and 5th years), indicating a need for improved nutrition and physical activity programs to prevent weight gain among military students.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[The prevalence of overweight and obesity vs. the level of physical activity of aviation military academy students]. Gaździńska, A., Baran, P., Skibniewski, F., et al.[2015]

A study of U.S. Air Force Academy cadets from 1972 showed that their average serum cholesterol levels remained stable throughout their 4-year training, contrasting with the rising cholesterol levels observed in West Point cadets from 1952.

The average body fat of the Air Force cadets stayed low, around 12%, suggesting that dietary fat intake may have played a role in maintaining healthier cholesterol levels compared to the earlier West Point study.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Serum cholesterol levels in selected air force cadets compared with levels in the West Point study. Clarke, DA., Mosser, EL., Foulds, EL., et al.[2013]

The study surveyed soldiers in a medical reserve unit about their health behaviors related to Army Weight Control standards, revealing a concerning reliance on negative health behaviors for weight management.

The authors suggest shifting the focus of weight control programs from solely weight management to a broader approach that emphasizes overall physical fitness and wellness, which could promote healthier behaviors.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Positive and negative health behaviors used to ensure compliance with the U.S. Army's weight control standards by a reserve component unit. Sweeney, SS., Bonnabeau, RC.[2017]

Citations

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2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11696824/

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Cadet Health for Improving Health Behaviors The Cadet Health treatment is unique because it focuses on improving health behaviors specifically within a military academy setting, potentially incorporating ...

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CAP REGULATION 60-2 This regulation describes the CAP Cadet Protection Program (CPP), an evidence-based strategy for protecting cadets' safety and well-being while ...

8. app2.boardontrack.com app2.boardontrack.com/org/K2aact/attachment/publicDownload/367351?s=K2aact

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Medical Corps Scholar Program Guide - ROTC Cadet Command Medical Corps Scholar Program recommends 100-150 shadowing hours, cadets should aim higher to remain competitive. Seek opportunities at ...