Results of Receiving Food According to the RTA Nutritional Program Prototype on Body Composition Changes among Conscripts in Conscript Training Course

Abstract

            This quasi-experimental study aimed to examine the nutritional value received by conscripts and the changes in body composition resulting from a diet determined by the RTA Nutritional Program Prototype. The study divided 1,600 conscripts into two groups of 800 each, across 16 conscripts training units overseen by 8 hospitals in 4 army regions. Data on the nutritional value received by the conscripts were collected using the RTA Nutritional Program, based on the standard manual database from the Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health. General information about the conscripts and data on changes in body composition were collected using the Shaper SF-959 body composition analyzer, which has an accuracy rate of 99.99%. Data analysis used descriptive statistics and t-tests. The study found that the conscripts received adequate nutritional value and there were significant statistical changes in the average body composition before and after the experiment at the .05 level, including body fat percentage, body water content, muscle mass, and bone mass. Significant statistical differences in the average body composition between the experimental and control groups at the .05 level were also observed in body fat percentage, muscle mass, and body weight.