Posted on Dec 3, 2022
Unfitness: An Existential Threat to National Security
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The problem of obesity across America has been a growing trend observed for several decades. To put it bluntly, America as a whole has been getting fatter, and not just during the days between Thanksgiving and that new diet in January. Back in 1960, the number of American adults classified as obese and extremely obese represented less than 15% of the population. Fast-forward to 2016, and the data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found that nearly 40% of Americans classify as obese. This past fiscal year, the U.S. Army fell short of recruitment goals by a whopping 25%, or 15,000 soldiers. The other U.S. military branches, while meeting their recruitment goals, still observed a similar troubling trend, a dwindling pool of fit youth.
Back in 2014, it was found that just 29% of Americans met military fitness requirements to serve. That fitness percentage has now dropped to 23%, and most of this decrease has to do with America’s increasing obesity rates.
Back in 2014, it was found that just 29% of Americans met military fitness requirements to serve. That fitness percentage has now dropped to 23%, and most of this decrease has to do with America’s increasing obesity rates.
Unfitness: An Existential Threat to National Security
Posted from patriotpost.us
Recruiting
Height and Weight
Health
Youth
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 5
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Lt Col Charlie Brown I blame the junk food craze that our youth have for unhealthy foods (potato chips and such) and eating out at fast food joints. Additionally, the video games are to blame. Back in the day I spent a lot of time outside running, riding my bike, walking most everywhere I went and very physically active. The day I joined the Marines when I was seventeen I weighed 137 pounds. I weigh a little more than that now but not that much.
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Lt Col Charlie Brown
BTW, neither kids nor parents know how to cook so they end up eating too many unhealthy pre-prepared meals. Calories and fat higher than homemade and insufficient fiber means that ALL the calories are accessible to the body
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SSG Bill McCoy
Agree Cpl Vic Burk! Part of the problem is parenting. My sons were "hooked" on computer games ... big surprise. However, their gaming was LIMITED, and they were required to participate in sports - baseball, track and football. Both were fit and trim soldiers as a resullt.
Meanwhile, as I've aged I am admittedly overweight, but at 6'5" I carry it well and most people are surprised if weight is discussed. Well, except for my doctor who has ensured that I lose weight! While I do "appear" to be in shape, I seriously doubt that I'd pass tape/body fat index these days! :(
Meanwhile, as I've aged I am admittedly overweight, but at 6'5" I carry it well and most people are surprised if weight is discussed. Well, except for my doctor who has ensured that I lose weight! While I do "appear" to be in shape, I seriously doubt that I'd pass tape/body fat index these days! :(
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This trend has grown, especially our youth! We don't do enought exercises! We have become the sexing and texting society!
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Even in "my days," I was always amazed at how some new soldiers were grossly out of shape. The few who made it into the MP Corps were typically not assigned to regular police duties, not only due to their obvious inability to perform, but just basic, slovenly appearance.
At my final duty station, one of my 1SG's was GROSSLY obese and his beltline was undoubtedly more inches than his height! I was perplexed that the Army even had uniforms that would fit him ... which I see as part of the problem - condoninjg such unfitness.
At my final duty station, one of my 1SG's was GROSSLY obese and his beltline was undoubtedly more inches than his height! I was perplexed that the Army even had uniforms that would fit him ... which I see as part of the problem - condoninjg such unfitness.
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