To Fat To Fight-Is Obesity A National Security Threat?

NewLIFEstyle4ME
NewLIFEstyle4ME Posts: 4,440 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Reading the papers today I found these headlines and articles:

Too Fat To Fight--Is Obesity The Real National Security Threat?

Do you think the U.S. obesity epidemic a real "National Security Threat" or do you think this is just "media hype" or something like that? What's your thoughts on this issue/articles?


More soldiers cut for being overweight

Published: Dec. 10, 2012 at 7:33 PM

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10 (UPI) -- About 16 times more U.S. troops were drummed out of the Army this year for being overweight than were five years ago, military officials say.

The Washington Post reported Monday during the first 10 months of this year, the Army discharged 1,625 soldiers for being out of shape.

The Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center says between 1998 and 2010, the number of active-duty military personnel categorized as overweight or obese more than tripled, with 86,186 troops diagnosed as overweight or obese in 2010...Excerpt--full story here:

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2012/12/10/More-soldiers-cut-for-being-overweight/UPI-22451355186000/

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Too fat to fight: Obesity is now leading cause of new recruits being rejected by U.S. Army
By Larisa Brown
PUBLISHED: 08:51 EST, 11 December 2012 | UPDATED: 03:17 EST, 13 December 2012

During first 10 months of this year, Army kicked out 1,625 soldiers for being out of shape - 15 times number discharged in 2007
Military officials see expanding waistline as national security concern
Commanders told to weed out soldiers deemed unfit to fight in response to intense pressure to trim budget...Excerpt--full story here:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2246392/Overweight-soldiers-booted-Army-shape.html


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Overweight Soldiers Booted For Failing Military Fitness Tests: Report

"This is not just an Army issue," Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling told the Times in 2010. "This is a national issue.”...Excerpt--full story here:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/11/overweight-soldiers-military-fitness-test_n_2277893.html

Replies

  • pamperedhen
    pamperedhen Posts: 446 Member
    All I have to say is a BIG WOWWWW!:noway:
  • NewLIFEstyle4ME
    NewLIFEstyle4ME Posts: 4,440 Member
    All I have to say is a BIG WOWWWW!:noway:

    I know, right?!? :embarassed: :sick: :frown: :indifferent: :ohwell: :noway:
  • Crowhorse
    Crowhorse Posts: 394 Member
    I think this is due more to politics than the actual weight. In the past they'd put you on the "fat boy" program, and while they still might do that, because the military is one of the few budgets being cut, in a nation full of bloated unnecessary spending, they are finding reasons left and right to get rid of people (just like businesses are). And they measure via BMI, as well, so there are plenty that get stuck in categories they don't belong in. Not saying there aren't fat members, because there definitely is, but the current political environment is making ANY wrong move in the military a reason for involuntary separation.
  • sarahpetway
    sarahpetway Posts: 27
    The defense budget gets cut and the military has to find new way to downsize it's forces.
  • ILiftHeavyAcrylics
    ILiftHeavyAcrylics Posts: 27,732 Member
    When my husband was first looking into joining they were actively trying to recruit him even though he was overweight. He was told they would pay off half of his student loans, and there were other perks as well. A year later when he was ready to join he had to convince them that he deserved to join. Nothing had changed except that with the economy the way it is and the military budget being cut they just don't need soldiers like they used to.

    I think the Navy averaged one captain a month who got relieved of duty this year, mostly for vague reasons. They're looking for reasons to cut people.
  • fearless_
    fearless_ Posts: 75
    I literally starved myself for months trying to be at military weight...
    some days I had water and cabbage soup though...mmmmm
    It's redic... :(
  • NewLIFEstyle4ME
    NewLIFEstyle4ME Posts: 4,440 Member
    When my husband was first looking into joining they were actively trying to recruit him even though he was overweight. He was told they would pay off half of his student loans, and there were other perks as well. A year later when he was ready to join he had to convince them that he deserved to join. Nothing had changed except that with the economy the way it is and the military budget being cut they just don't need soldiers like they used to.

    I think the Navy averaged one captain a month who got relieved of duty this year, mostly for vague reasons. They're looking for reasons to cut people.

    I read in one of the articles that when the war(s) were first taking place, they recruited, enlisted and took on everyone no holds barred, but now that the war(s) are winding down...they are being more selective and to save money.
  • tinytasha7
    tinytasha7 Posts: 86 Member
    I'm thinking that if the US were really in a National Security threat position, the amount of weight or how out of shape a person was would make no difference at all....otherwise, all one would have to do to avoid being drafted would be to gain excessive weight....don't see it making a difference that way.

    But yes all of North America is way too obese in general.
  • monty619
    monty619 Posts: 1,308 Member
    with socialized medicine becoming relevant... i dont want to pay for your fat medical bill.
  • AEFidgets
    AEFidgets Posts: 243
    I agree, when I enlisted they had a much less strict policy about weight. But since the economy sucks and the wars are winding down (i hope) they are downsizing any way they can.

    On a side note now I'm trying to get back into the shape I was then.

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