Obesity Jeopardizes U.S. National Security

The nation's obesity epidemic has become a top public-health concern. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), obesity in children has more than tripled since 1980. Nearly a third of children are overweight or obese and 23 percent of young adults are considered obese. Obese children and young adults are at increased risk for a lower life expectancy and chronic diseases including diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Now research reports that the obesity epidemic jeopardizes the military and national security.

The Study

The study, released by Mission:Readiness, a nonprofit, bipartisan organization of retired admirals and generals, examined Pentagon data. They found that a whopping 75 percent of the nation's young adults fail to qualify for military service. According to the Pentagon, obesity is the top reason why military applicants are ineligible for service. Other reasons include health problems, lack of high school diploma and criminal history.

National Security Crisis

"Being overweight or obese is a major disqualifying factor for young adults applying for military service," says Major General Kelley, US Army (Ret), in a news release. "An estimated one out of four of all young people ages 17 to 24 are too heavy to serve in the military. In the past 30 years, child obesity rates have more than tripled. Obesity has become more than a major health problem. If we don't address this problem now, we are putting our national security at risk."

Improve School Nutrition and Early Learning

To reverse this downward trend, Mission:Readiness is calling on Congress to reauthorize the Child Nutrition Act to help improve nutrition standards for meals served in school and in child care settings. They also support the passage of the Early Learning Challenge Fund Act (H.R. 3221), to fund high quality early childhood learning programs.

Your Thoughts

Are you taking positive action to help your child achieve and maintain a healthy weight? Please share with us below.

Sources

Retired Military Brass Support USDA's Call for Improved Health and Nutrition Standards. February 23, 2010, News Release. missionreadiness.org.

Ready, Willing And Unable To Serve, A Report by Mission:Readiness. missionreadiness.org.

Gavalas, Elaine. The Yoga Minibook for Weight Loss. Simon & Schuster Fireside. elainegavalas.com .