Sleep, Activity, and Nutrition Among an Army Sample: Strengths, Deficits, and Demographic Differences.

Sleep, activity, and nutrition (SAN) are key components in overall health, and an individual's knowledge about and self-confidence to engage in healthy SAN behaviors can have an impact on their actions. This evaluation examined SAN knowledge, self-confidence, and behaviors among U.S. Army Soldiers prior to participating in a health promotion program. Baseline surveys from participating Soldiers provide evidence in this evaluation. U.S. Army Soldiers ( = 11,485) participating in a health promotion program completed surveys. Participants completed an online survey assessing SAN knowledge, self-confidence, and behaviors (among other constructs). We examined the common patterns of SAN behaviors, the associations between them, and the differences based on gender and rank. Knowledge, self-confidence, and behaviors were correlated within each of the three SAN domains. Men reported more aerobic exercise ( = .48) and more resistance training ( = .34) per week than women. Officers reported greater self-confidence in their ability to consume a post-exercise snack (i.e., refuel; = .38), greater refueling behaviors ( = .43), greater activity knowledge ( = .33), and greater self-confidence in their ability to achieve activity goals ( ranging from .33 to .39), compared to enlisted Soldiers. Finally, greater confidence in one's ability to achieve healthy sleep correlated with getting more sleep, both during workweek ( = .56, < .001) and weekend ( = .25, < .001). These baseline data support the need for health promotion of SAN behaviors among these Soldiers.