A study conducted by the American Security Project (ASP) found that the obesity rate among active-duty personnel in the U.S. military reached 21.6% in 2022, Military.com reported.
The ASP research revealed that that figure doubled in comparison to a similar study that was conducted a decade ago, when the obesity rate for the same demographic was 10.4%, Military.com reported.
“Military obesity rates across the active duty jumped from 10.4 percent in 2012 to 21.6 percent in 2022, according to the study.” https://t.co/4CVatTkRTw
— Logan Ratick (@Logan_Ratick) October 19, 2023
At present, the study concluded that 68% of active-duty service members are considered either overweight or obese, the outlet reported. Furthermore, the research revealed that general eating disorders among service members across the American military skyrocketed some 79% between 2017 and 2021. (RELATED: Biden Admin Appoints Doctor Who Claims Obesity Is Mostly Genetic To Dietary Guidelines Committee)
The report suggested that the military should “treat obesity as a chronic disease.”
“The Department of Defense’s influence over the active-duty environment allows it to successfully mitigate this crisis by applying evidence-based treatments and controlling contributing factors such as diet, exercise, sleep, and stress,” author of the ASP report Courtney Manning outlined, Military.com reported.
One member of the House Armed Services Committee, Washington Democratic Rep. Marilyn Strickland, told the outlet in an email that high levels of obesity in the military are a life quality issue that require action to “ensure an agile fighting force.” (RELATED: Confidence In US Military Plummets To 26-Year Lows: REPORT)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 29: Marilyn Strickland attends LA Uprising Saigu Peace Gathering at Liberty Park on April 29, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by JC Olivera/Getty Images)
“I am encouraged that the Department is seeking innovative ways, such as the Army’s Holistic Health and Fitness system and the Future Soldier Prep Course, to ensure that we maintain standards of fitness and health,” Strickland added, the outlet noted.
Obesity is often cited as one of the significant challenges to military recruiting. | Click the image to read our story: https://t.co/jVudH7O5vg
— Marine Corps Times (@Marinetimes) October 15, 2023
The report comes as legislators and Pentagon officials are already tied up with a service–wide recruitment crisis.