After World War II, Congress passed the school lunch program, worried that too many high schoolers were malnourished and unfit to fight. Now, instead of soldiers not weighing enough ... they weigh too much.
In fact, today's soldiers are almost 40 pounds heavier, on average, than their Civil War counterparts -- and it's becoming a major problem.
Obesity Plaguing All Branches of the Military
From elite Marines to the Air Force, thousands are struggling to lose weight and many have been kicked out of the service because they couldn't do so.
Yet one of the biggest weight worries distresses those not even in uniform yet: Nearly 20 percent of men and 40 percent of women of recruiting age are too obese to even be considered -- an all-time high for that age group. According to an Army nutrition expert, the situation is rapidly becoming a national security issue, resulting in a limited new recruit pool.
As for the active duty soldiers: They are willing to do whatever it takes to drop those extra, unwanted pounds, even if it means resorting to:
And the weight problems don't end with new recruits and active duty soldiers either; the Veterans Affairs health system is increasingly strained by vets packing on the pounds and developing weight-related diseases.
The Real Deal
One of the most devastating results of the weight issues regarding the service, however, is the financial strain it brings upon the soldiers.
Weight problems can cost many soldiers their promotions, and individuals who are given the boot not only lose their income, but also their retirement and medical benefits. Already:
About 1,500 troops were kicked out of the Air Force from 2000 to 2003 for failure to maintain weight requirements.
More than 3,000 people in 2003 alone were kicked out of all branches of the military for failing weight standards.
MSNBC July 5, 2005
Nearly a quarter-century ago, the movie Stripes spoofed the all-volunteer military via a battalion of the sorriest Army recruits known to man, led by Chicagoans Bill Murray and Harold Ramis. Another member of that cast was one of my favorite comedians, John Candy, playing the obese recruit who joined the Army to become "a lean, mean, fighting machine." Back then, nobody took his size or weight very seriously, and he was more of a rarity than it sounds as though he would be today.
Unfortunately, John Candy died from a heart attack at the age of 35, and that was most likely related to his obesity.
Whether you are a soldier in the military, an eager new recruit or an experienced Veteran, eating well, along with exercising, will go a long way in helping you achieve an optimal level of health and fitness.
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