Nearly seven in 10 active military members are obese or overweight, according to a report.
Researchers found that obesity rates in the military have doubled over the past decade, from 10.4 percent in 2012 to 21.6 percent in 2022, and that about two-thirds of active duty members in all branches of the military are overweight or obese.
Only 31 percent — or less than a third — were at a healthy weight.
Obesity also appears to be the cause of a growing recruitment crisis, with one in four applicants being rejected because of their weight. It has been the leading cause of rejections for over a decade.
Experts at the American Security Project in Washington DC, which conducted the study, called the escalating crisis “particularly worrying” and warned that it was affecting the country’s defense capabilities.
The release of the study comes at a time of global unrest and armed escalation that could potentially intensify US military operations in the future.
Researchers found that obesity rates in the military have doubled in the past decade, from 10.4 percent in 2012 to 21.6 percent in 2022
The above shows the proportion of active duty soldiers who are underweight, healthy weight, overweight and obese at different stages of training
Obesity rates in the military have increased in line with the civilian population. But experts say the military rate is trending downward because it tends to be much younger than the general population
For the report, researchers collected official body mass index (BMI) data from active military personnel.
It comes from the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center (AFHSC), which annually collects data on the health status of all armed forces.
It calculates BMI by dividing a soldier’s weight by his height – which gives an estimate of body fat percentage.
According to the CDC, obese people should be vaccinated with longer needles
For adults over 200 pounds, a longer needle of about an inch and a half is needed to penetrate fat and deep muscle tissue.
However, the measure is imperfect and often labels people with greater muscle mass as overweight, but it is still used as the “best option” not only in the military, but also in daily medical exams and tests for Americans around the world. the country.
Site data comes from Medical Access Processing Station (MEPS) figures.
Of the various military branches, the Navy was the toughest; 27 percent of sailors fell into this category.
The report also said that 11 percent in the Air Force are considered obese.
Separate data showed the Army had the second highest obesity rate at 17 percent, while in the Marine Corps – the elite force – eight percent of recruits were classified as obese.
According to the report, obesity rates increased as soldiers got older, with 15 percent obese by age 21.
But by age 35, that percentage rises to 28 percent, according to the report.
The report, prepared by military expert Courtney Manning, adds: “The increasing prevalence of obesity among military personnel reduces the readiness of the all-volunteer military.”
“But it’s not a moral failure; this is a health crisis.”
She added: “Portraying obesity as a matter of insufficient willpower or discipline prevents soldiers from seeking and receiving treatment, reduces the likelihood that commanders and health care workers will intervene, and worsens health outcomes in the services.”
Soldiers classified as overweight or obese are placed on a weight management program.
In the military, soldiers are instructed to lose a certain number of pounds each month and be reweighed every six months until the standard is reached. In the Navy’s ShipShape program, participants participate in group sessions to teach them a healthy diet and exercise program.
Those who do not meet the weight standards are not eligible for promotion, transfer, re-registration or enrollment in vocational schools.
If soldiers fail to lose weight within six to 12 months, they may be asked to leave military service.
The report also warns of rising obesity rates across the United States. With more than four in ten adults now obese, this also creates a growing recruitment problem.
An estimated 71 percent of Americans now are not fit for active duty.
Data show the Army missed its 2022 recruitment goal by 15,000 soldiers (or 25 percent) after originally seeking to recruit 60,000 soldiers.
The Navy missed its target by 7,450 – or 20 percent – of the 37,700 it had planned to recruit.
The number of obesity-related disqualifications has increased in recent years as the number of obese US military personnel has doubled in a decade
The above shows the prevalence of obesity among female and male soldiers
Above are the most common reasons people were discharged from the armed forces in 2017
The The Air Force missed its target by 2,700 – or 10 percent – of the 26,877 officers it intended to recruit.
The Marine Corps was the only branch of the military to meet its goal, exceeding it by 21 people, for a total of 33,323 new recruits.
Obesity has been the leading reason for rejected military applications for more than a decade and leads to poor recruitment rates.
Those who want to join the military but don’t meet weight standards can also join a program to help them get in shape.
That includes guides like the Air Force Aim High app, which offers nutrition and fitness plans to help hopeful recruits complete a course modeled after a military boot camp.
Matthew Wallin, the ASP’s chief operating officer, said: “At a time when we are struggling to recruit enough manpower for the armed forces, the growing number of obese people is of particular concern.”
“No one who defends our country should be left without support and equipment to wage a personal battle against obesity.”
To solve the crisis, the report recommended that the military treat obesity within the armed forces as a “chronic disease”.
It states that all service members with obesity must be immediately referred to an obesity physician, registered dietitian or obesity physician for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
She also proposed repealing the rule that allows commanders to exempt obese troops from procedures and treatments to reduce their waist circumference.
The report said the military’s obesity crisis is in many cases “underestimated” because commanders and soldiers “consistently attempt to present the measurements in the best possible light.”
This includes classifying those who are medically exempt as “within medical standards” – even if they are obese.
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
