Is America Too Fat To Fight?
Nearly 10,000 active-duty Army servicemembers emerged from lockdowns obese.
Comedian Bridget Phetasy joked on Twitter during the 2020 Democratic presidential primary that “America is too fat for a Civil War.”
She’s not wrong. America might be too fat for any war.
The Associated Press reported last week nearly 10,000 active-duty servicemembers emerged from the coronavirus lockdowns as obese.
“New research found that obesity in the U.S. military surged during the pandemic,” the AP wrote. “Increases were seen in the U.S. Navy and Marines too.”
Federal research shows the excess weight is bearing a heavy burden on the nation’s military, with 650,000 workdays lost each year from the added pounds. The Defense Department spends about $1.5 billion in obesity-related health care for current and former servicemembers and their families.
American military bases, meanwhile, are only feeding the obesity epidemic at home and abroad.
In February, Army Major Nolan Johnson outlined “Why the Army can’t get in shape” for ArmyTimes. In short, the answer is “Dip, Doritos and drinking.”
Today’s active-duty force abuses alcohol 20% more than the general population, according to a Rand Corp. study, and smokes 50% more, according to a 2011 study. It also has a 17% obesity rate, according to information from the Army, despite access to nutritionists, gyms, and wellness centers. What about the Army lifestyle explains how America’s healthiest 1% can join the Army only to become so unhealthy? What explains the 0 to 17% transformation in obesity from recruit to soldier?
A large part of the answer can be found in your nearest shoppette. Last year AAFES stores posted sales exceeding $5 billion, largely by enabling our addictions to dip, Doritos, and drinking. On every base, AAFES offers tobacco at state minimum prices, deals on candy bars, and alcohol without tax. Soldiers can either embrace these cheap, unhealthy options or take a 30-minute trip off-post to find healthy options that cost a premium. The results are obvious. For a force pressed on time and money, 2-for-1 Monster energy drinks, discounted hot dogs, and chewing tobacco are the regular lunch plan.
Obesity is eating into military recruitment at the same time as the single biggest barrier to entry in the armed forces. Fewer than 30 percent of Americans aged 17-24, which account for 90 percent of military applicants, are eligible for military service, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
The Army missed its recruitment goals for the first time last year, and by no small margin. The branch came 15,000 members short while other branches struggled. The Air Force warned in March the branch was likely to miss its recruiting goals for fiscal year 2023, even after leadership made changes to its fitness tests to allow walking and modified push ups.
With 1 in 5 U.S. children already categorically obese, outlook for recruitment remains bleak.
The left-leaning Council for a Strong America has been raising the alarm on the issue for more than a decade, with three reports published on childhood obesity jeopardizing military readiness. Pandemic lockdowns, however, only accelerated the crisis with the rate of BMI increases for children aged 2-19 doubling under school closures.
Links:
New York Times: The Diabetes Drug That Could Overshadow Ozempic
The Federalist: Biden Admin Concedes It’s Unfair To Let Men Compete In Women’s Sports With New Rules Allowing Men In Women’s Sports
Washington Examiner: Young Americans show decline in marriage and family: Study
Washington Post: To comply with a new sesame allergy law, some businesses add — sesame
Wall Street Journal: The Adderall Shortage Is Taking a Toll on These People
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