Researchers in Austria tested whether teaching young men about healthy eating and exercise could help them stay fit during mandatory military service. They divided 173 young soldiers into two groups: one group received 15 hours of health education classes in their first month, while the other group didn’t. After six months of service, the soldiers who took the classes gained much less weight and body fat than those who didn’t. They also made better food choices and learned more about nutrition. This study shows that simple education programs can help young people maintain healthy habits even in challenging situations like military service.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether teaching young soldiers about healthy eating and exercise could prevent them from gaining weight and losing fitness during their mandatory six-month military service in Austria.
  • Who participated: 173 young Austrian men (average age around 18-20) who were required to serve in the military. They were split into two groups: 85 received health education classes, and 88 did not.
  • Key finding: Young men who received the health education classes gained only about 0.68 BMI points compared to 2.33 points for those without classes—that’s about three times less weight gain. They also kept better eating habits and learned significantly more about nutrition.
  • What it means for you: If you’re facing a major life change that might disrupt your healthy habits—like starting college, a new job, or military service—taking time to learn about nutrition and exercise beforehand may help you stay healthier. However, this study was done with young men in Austria, so results might differ for other groups.

The Research Details

Researchers divided 173 young Austrian soldiers into two groups randomly. One group (85 soldiers) attended 15 hours of health education classes during their first month of service. These classes taught them about nutrition, healthy eating choices, and exercise. The other group (88 soldiers) received no special education. Both groups were measured at the start of their service and again after six months to see how their bodies changed, what they were eating, and how much they knew about nutrition.

The researchers used special equipment to measure body fat, asked soldiers about their eating habits through questionnaires, and tested their knowledge about nutrition. They used math to figure out whether the differences between the two groups were real or just happened by chance.

This type of study design is strong because it randomly assigns people to groups, which helps make sure the groups are similar at the start. This makes it easier to tell whether the education actually caused the differences, rather than other factors. Testing people at the beginning and end helps show what changed over time.

This study has several strengths: it randomly divided people into groups, it measured multiple health factors (weight, body fat, eating habits, and knowledge), and it followed people for the full six months. However, the study only included young men in Austria, so the results might not apply to women, older people, or people from other countries. The study also relied on soldiers reporting what they ate, which isn’t always completely accurate.

What the Results Show

The education program made a clear difference in how much weight soldiers gained. Those who took the classes gained an average of 0.68 BMI points, while those without classes gained 2.33 BMI points—meaning the educated group gained about three times less weight.

Body fat also increased less in the education group. The educated soldiers’ body fat increased by only 0.15 percentage points, compared to 1.59 percentage points in the control group. This is important because gaining body fat during service could affect fitness and health.

The soldiers who received education also made better food choices overall. Their eating habits stayed relatively stable (only a small decrease of 0.20 points on the healthy eating scale), while soldiers without education saw their eating habits get worse (a decrease of 4.45 points). This suggests the education helped them maintain good eating choices even during the stress of military service.

Finally, nutrition knowledge increased much more in the education group. Soldiers who took the classes learned significantly more about healthy eating compared to those who didn’t receive the education.

The study also measured fat mass index (a way to measure just the fatty tissue on your body). The education group’s fat mass index increased by only 0.14 points compared to 2.33 points in the control group. This further confirms that the education program helped prevent unhealthy body composition changes. The consistency of these results across multiple measurements (BMI, body fat percentage, fat mass index, and eating habits) suggests the program had real, meaningful effects.

This appears to be the first study to show that a structured education program can successfully prevent weight gain and poor eating habits during mandatory military service. Previous research has shown that military service often leads to weight gain and lifestyle changes, and other studies have shown that education programs can help with healthy habits in regular settings. This study combines those ideas and proves it works in the challenging environment of military service.

The study only included young men in Austria, so we don’t know if the same results would happen for women, older people, or people from different countries with different food cultures. The soldiers reported what they ate themselves, which might not be completely accurate—people sometimes forget what they ate or report what they think they should have eaten rather than what they actually ate. The study only lasted six months, so we don’t know if the benefits continue after soldiers leave the service. Finally, the study was done in a military setting where daily routines are controlled, so the results might not apply to regular civilian life.

The Bottom Line

If you’re facing a major life change that might disrupt your healthy habits, consider taking a structured education program about nutrition and exercise beforehand. The evidence from this study suggests it can help you maintain better eating habits and prevent excessive weight gain. However, this recommendation is based on one study of young men in Austria, so talk to a doctor or nutritionist about what might work best for your specific situation. (Confidence level: Moderate—this is one well-designed study, but more research in different groups would strengthen this recommendation.)

This research is most relevant to young men entering military service, but the lessons apply to anyone facing major life transitions like starting college, beginning a new job, or moving to a new place. The findings suggest that education programs work best when started early, before bad habits develop. If you’re in a stable routine with good eating habits, this study doesn’t suggest you need to change anything.

Based on this study, you could expect to see benefits within the first month if you take the education program early. The biggest differences between the education group and control group appeared by the end of six months, suggesting the benefits build over time. However, this study only measured people for six months, so we don’t know how long the benefits last after the program ends.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your weekly average weight and take body measurements (waist, hips, chest) every two weeks. Also log your daily meals for one week each month to monitor whether your eating habits are staying consistent or changing. This gives you concrete numbers to see if an education program is working for you.
  • Use the app to set a specific goal like ‘Complete one nutrition lesson per week’ or ‘Plan healthy meals for 3 days this week.’ After completing the education content, log what you ate that day and rate how well you followed the healthy eating principles you learned. This reinforces the lessons and helps you practice new habits.
  • Set up monthly check-ins where you review your weight trend, body measurements, and meal logs together. Compare your eating habits from month to month to see if they’re improving or staying stable. If you notice weight gain or declining eating habits, that’s a signal to review the education materials again or increase your focus on the healthy habits you learned.

This research describes a study in young Austrian men during mandatory military service and may not apply to all populations. The findings suggest that education programs may help prevent weight gain during major life transitions, but this is based on one study lasting six months. Before making significant changes to your diet or exercise routine, especially if you have existing health conditions, consult with your doctor or a registered dietitian. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice.