Associations Between Body Composition, Energy Availability, and Lifestyle Factors in Reserve Officer Training Corps Cadets

This study focuses on understanding health and performance among students enrolled in Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC). ROTC cadets are a population expected to maintain both academic and military-readiness demands. Many cadets must balance early-morning training, full course loads, part-time jobs, and social obligations, all of which can influence their sleep habits, nutrition choices, and physical fitness. At the same time, the assessment of body composition is an important part of military standards, yet the tools used to evaluate it vary widely and may not always reflect an individual's true physiological status. To explore these interconnected factors, this study examines patterns in cadets' body composition alongside their dietary practices, sleep behaviors, and physical fitness. By doing so, it seeks to clarify how everyday lifestyle factors may support or hinder readiness and whether commonly used body composition screening methods align with more precise measurements. Ultimately, the goal is to provide a clearer picture of the health challenges and needs of ROTC cadets and to help inform strategies that promote performance, well-being, and long-term resilience in this unique group.