Nearly seven out of 10 US service members are considered either overweight or obese – which could affect the nation’s military readiness and compromise national security, according to a new broad study.
The American Security Project, a non-profit organization based in Washington, found that 68% of US soldiers qualify as “overweight” or “obese” under the Body Mass Index, which takes into account a person’s age, height and weight.
It also determined that the number of soldiers in the “obese” category has more than doubled over the past decade – from 10.4% in 2012, to 21.6% last year.
The trend poses “a dire threat,” according to a report released last week.
“To ensure the long-term strength and operability of the armed forces, the services must decisively and cohesively address obesity in their ranks, maintain strong body composition standards and bring health policies in line with evidence-based recommendations,” the report said.
“Identifying, diagnosing and treating obesity among soldiers on the front lines of our nation’s defense can ultimately determine the long-term survival of the force.
“It may not be easy, but it’s long overdue.”
An extensive new study finds nearly 70% of US service members are either “overweight” or “obese” under the Body Mass Index. AFP via Getty Images
Each branch of the US military currently has its own “minimum body composition standards” that recruits must meet – and obesity is a leading cause of military applicants and a “leading contributor to in-service injuries and medical discharges” at a time when the US Army is struggling to recruit new members, according to the study.
Less than a quarter of Americans between the ages of 17 and 24 are academically and physically qualified for military service, according to Pentagon data obtained by Stars and Stripes.
In April, Gen. Randy A. George — then the Army chief of staff — and Adm. Lisa M. Franchetti, vice chief of naval operations, told members of the House Armed Services Readiness Subcommittee that the Army, Navy and Air Force would not attack enrollment goals. them this year.
The Army fell about 15,000 soldiers — or about 25% — short of its recruitment goal in 2022, but was able to improve the situation in fiscal year 2023, ending with nearly 55,000 recruiting contracts, according to Roll Call.
But neither Air Force nor Navy.
The Air Force had sought to recruit 26,877 new sailors by 2023, but fell short by nearly 2,700, while the Navy missed its target of 37,700 new sailors by 7,450 recruits.
The American Security Project also determined that the number of soldiers in the “obese” category has more than doubled over the past decade – from 10.4% in 2012, to 21.6% last year. American Security Project
The American Security Project is now recommending that the Department of Defense reverse its policy that allows commanders to exempt obese soldiers from medical intervention and review body compensation rules.
It also suggests referring obese soldiers to appropriate doctors for treatment, producing more frequent military obesity reports and including BMI figures in recruitment and retention reports sent to Congress.
“With adequate screening for obesity, the military services can develop proactive measures to address obesity,” the report said.
“Early screening for obesity-related health conditions, such as prediabetes and high cholesterol, is associated with sustained weight loss, better health outcomes and a lower cost burden on the health care system.”
The report goes on to claim that obesity “is not a moral failing; it’s a health crisis,” as it argued that the military should not seek to punish soldiers who have gained weight.
The American Security Project recommended in a report released last week that the military no longer punish soldiers who have gained weight — and instead refer them to doctors. American Security Project
“Framing obesity as an issue of insufficient will or discipline prevents soldiers from seeking and receiving treatment, makes commanders and health care workers less likely to intervene, and worsens health outcomes across the services,” he said.
Under current practice, service members who fail their “tape test” can be directed to a rehabilitation program to increase their exercise and adjust their diet — with the result that they could be involuntarily discharged if they fail to lose weight, according to Time Army.
But report author Courtney Manning said the military should instead send overweight soldiers to doctors to check what factors may be contributing to their weight, and whether other health problems develop as a result.
The change in attitude comes months after the American Medical Association updated its policy on Body Mass Index, acknowledging “historical harm” and “racial exclusion” because “BMI is based primarily on data collected from previous generations of non-Hispanic whites.”
Its new policy urges doctors to use BMI as just one measure of body composition — along with other valid measures of risk such as visceral fat, body composition and waist circumference, as well as genetic and metabolic factors.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
