“This is quickly becoming a national security issue for us. The pool of recruits is becoming smaller,” said Col. Gaston Bathalon.
…one of the biggest worries concerns those not even in uniform yet: Nearly 2 out of 10 men and 4 out of 10 women of recruiting age weigh too much to be eligible…
Makes you look at the phrase “the War on Fat,” in a whole new light.
It’s a scary old world we live in, and this article is one of the best arguments for raising plump kids I think I’ve ever run across.
Nate had the opposite problem, he didn’t weigh enough when he went for his physical - but since that was last December and he isn’t going in until August, they figured he would be able to gain 7 lbs by then (he did).
I can’t see the US Army going short - if they require conscription, they’ll just lower their standards and then work the recruits more in boot camp to lose (or gain) the weight.
While long term obesity is bad obviously for your health, I think rapid weight loss is just as stressful to the body. Losing more than a couple of pounds a week is hard on the system.
