Childhood Obesity: A Matter of National Security?

On Tuesday morning I was part of a group of wellness professionals from Central Bucks who were tapped to spearhead childrens' health programs for Congressman Patrick Murphy's district. The group included fitness trainers, nurses, nutritionists, school administrators, chefs, community leaders, etc.

Among the points made at the beginning of the meeting by Rep. Murphy was that physical fitness readiness is one of the leading reasons for rejecting military recruits and that the percentage of recruits rejected for not meeting military fitness and weight standards is soaring dramatically along with our childhood obesity problem.

So we have young people who want to join the military but they are too overweight or too out of shape or both.

This issue is close to the Congressman's heart as he is a member of the House Committee on Armed Services and was the first Iraqi War veteran elected to the House.

So let's look at the current situation. Mission: Readiness, a a D.C.-based organization of retired generals, admirals, and civilian military leaders released a report earlier this year entitled "Too Fat to Fight." The group reports more than 27 percent of Americans between the ages of 17 and 24—that's more than 9 million young men and women—are too overweight to join the military.

What does it mean to be too overweight to join? The military has defined standards for weight, body fat percentage, and a physical fitness test for all new recruits. Below are links to the standards. Here are some examples.

A 5'8" male between the ages of 21-27 can weigh up to 170lbs.
A 5'5" female between the ages of 21-27 can weigh 145lbs.
A 22-26 year old male must be able to do 31 military pushups.
A 22-26 year old female must be able to do 11 military pushups.
A 22-26 year old male must be able to run 2-miles in 17:30.
A 22-26 year old female must be able to run 2-miles in 20:36.

Most of my Boot Campers, all of whom are well beyond that age range (sorry, but that's the fact, Jack), can complete those standards. But 27% of our kids cannot.

Take a look at the links below and see if you have what it takes to get into the military.

Weight and body fat standards

Physical fitness test standards

Be well,

Paul