Too Fat to Fight Is Obesity Winning the War?

Hey people, Darrin, Your Staring Over Coach.   

I’m here to open some eyes to the national epidemic of obesity.  We live in very dangerous times, this is due, in part, to the fact that we have begun to accept gluttony and unhealthy lifestyles as normal.  Not only do we accept it, we defend it.  We don’t have the time to exercise, or the money to eat healthy. 

It has actually gotten to the point where it may impact our nation’s security.  Recruiters struggle to find viable candidates to enlist because obesity is so prevalent.  More than 1,200 new recruits are sent packing before they complete basic training due to weight issues.  Multiply that number times the $50,000 it costs to train each of those individuals.  Does it really cost too much to take care of ourselves in the first place?   

The average 17-24 year old would need to lose 34 lbs to reach what’s considered a healthy weight.  According to a study from Mission: Readiness, a non-profit group comprised of senior retired military officials, about 9 million of those 17-24 years olds (nearly 27% of the primary recruiting pool) are "too fat to serve in the military".  The report named obesity as the leading medical reason for candidates being turned away from military service.

The study also showed that between 1995 and 2008, more than 140,000 individuals failed their military entrance physical exams due to weight issues.  Even those who squeak through the initial physical exam tend to deal with the rigorous demands of boot camp poorly, and may not be able to complete their first leg of enlistment. 

The sad fact is that young Americans who are supposed to be in their prime are too obese to join the military.  "If you're sent into a combat zone you want to be in shape.  You want to be able to maneuver, you want to be able to protect yourself and protect your fellow soldiers.  If you're overweight, how are you going to run? How are you going to get away?" this from Mercedes Lipscomb who had to lose nearly 80 pounds before she reapplied to the National Guard.  How do we trust people to take care of us, when they can’t take care of themselves?  Sedentary lifestyles, coupled with fast food as a dietary staple are proving to be as much a threat to our national security as anything else; and we honestly have no one to blame but ourselves.  

There is hope, however, because this problem is reversible, and military leaders are beginning to understand that too.  Mission: Readiness is encouraging agendas that target school lunch programs and vending machines in an effort to emulate the success of New York City schools in decreasing options for unhealthy food choices and lowering average student weight.  When it comes down to protecting our country and all of our freedoms, we need to know the next generation will be able to step up.