Energy Expenditure and Activity Patterns of Cadets at the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York.
Abstract
A study was conducted in October, 1979, at the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York, to evaluate factors contributing to weight gain in cadets over the course of their academic career. This report presents the average daily energy expenditure (EE) and activity patterns of male and female cadets. A total of 136 male and 54 female cadets from the classes of 1980, 1981, 1982, and 1983 were studied. Five consecutive days (Wednesday through Sunday) of activity data were collected from each study participant by the factorial method. The average pattern of EE usage was similar between male and female cadets: about 20% at rest; 35-40% in very light activities; 5-10% in light activities; about 25% in moderate activities; and the remaining 5-15% in heavy or very heavy activities. Average energy expenditure when expressed as kcal/kg body weight was not significantly different between male and female cadets of the same class for weekdays or weekend days. There was a tendency for the cadets to become more sedentary with advance in class. This was more noticeable for the females than for the males. There was a significant decrease in weekday, but not weekend day, EE for the females with advance in class. This same decrease was not significant for the male cadets, but there was a weekday trend in that direction. For the females, the lower weekday EE for the 1980 and 1981 classes may be explained by the lower amount of energy and time spent in running and sports activities. Whether the decrease in weekday EE with advance in class is due to differences in program requirements should be examined. Nutrition, Military Nutrition Surveys.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1985
- Accession Number
- ADA157857
Entities
People
- H. E. Sauberlich
- M. J. Kretsch
- M. O. O'connor
Organizations
- Letterman Army Hospital