Study of the Physical Health Practices of United States Air Force Captains

摘要

The purpose of this thesis is to investigate positive changes in the physical health practices of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base captains. Additionally, the reasons for those changes and their relationship to the Air Force Health promotions program is investigated. The study uses a survey to measure seven physical health practices of a probability sample of captains assigned to Wright-Patterson AFB for comparison to previously collected Air Force health data. Significant positive changes occurred in the smoking habits, alcohol consumption and physical exercise habits of the sample. Negative changes were evident in the amount of weight gained since entering active duty and sleep habits. No change was present for frequency of eating breakfast or between meals. Familiarity of the sample with the current health promotion programs such as the Coronary Artery Risk Evaluation (CARE) program and smoking cessation classes are discussed in terms of success in reaching the population and motivating positive changes in behavior. Also, the reasons given for making positive changes are investigated to show the effectiveness of the health promotions effort.