ShareThisThis spring a blue-ribbon roster of retired military leaders issued a report titled, with characteristic bluntness, "Too Fat to Fight," in which they said the epidemic of childhood obesity was posing a threat to America's national security.
They found that 27 percent of all young adults, ages 17 to 24, were too fat for military service and that the problem was quickly getting worse. In 10 years, the number of states with 40 percent or more of young adults overweight went from one to 39. Being overweight is by far the leading reason would-be recruits are rejected.
And the ones who do make it into the military are not in as good shape as their predecessors. The New York Times said it was "one of the most pressing issues facing the military today: overweight and unfit recruits." The percentages of male and female recruits who fail the military's basic fitness test are up dramatically just since 2000 and so are the number of stress fractures because of poor diets low in calcium and iron.
In response, the Times reports, the Army has changed its physical training regimen to better shape up its young recruits. The new regimen has less of the traditional pushups, sit-ups and distance running and more emphasis on exercises that mimic what soldiers actually do in combat -- sprinting, climbing, rolling and crouching with an emphasis on agility and balance.
Once the recruits finish training, they still must face for the duration of their careers the Army's twice yearly physical fitness test that still adheres closely to tradition -- pushups, sit-ups and a two-mile run.
Army officials blamed the increasingly unfit recruits on junk food, video games and the decline in gym classes, said the Times. The retired officers blamed the youthful obesity almost entirely on junk food.
And they noted that this isn't the first time poor diet has affected military readiness. In World War II, they noted that at least 40 percent of rejected recruits were turned away for reasons connected with poor nutrition. They noted that after the war,the general who ran the military draft, Lewis Hershey, was instrumental in winning passage of the National School Lunch Act.
Today the problem is over-nourishment not under-nourishment. Perhaps it's time for another military intervention in the national diet.
(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, http://www.scrippsnews.com)
Actually the military should
Actually the military should butt out. They only care about obesity because it interferes with them having enough cannon fodder.
Actually the military should
Actually the military should butt out. They only care about obesity because it interferes with them having enough cannon fodder.
Tiffany and Co
Favorite Youth Collection ladydaan want to know your puppy lover tiffany? Now you have a good chance. A tiffany & co or earrings to make her feel special how much you care. Now, it has spread to many countries, you can buy beautiful jewelry at these shops. But if you do not like shopping, you can also buy a Tiffany and Co from website. From jewelry is believed that the end-point of true religion clothing, which could cause one of the personalities and characters with the tiffany jewellery. Maybe you are obsessed with jewelry shops, but have you ever thought that if you want to buy Tiffany Co is really suitable for your girlfriend? They do not become more attractive girlfriend? I do not mean that the options are not great, but the point is that does the Tiffany and Co Rings match the shape of the face of his girlfriend and style ghd hair straighteners? Entrance fees according to the following advice with the Tiffany and Co Bracelets. Some tips on choosing and matching jewelry stores are the following. Hope to help! If your girlfriend likes luxury, classic design Diamond will be the best option. If your girlfriend low life, sterling silver or gold can be your best option. To highlight the effect of Tiffany Bracelets, jewelry, make sure they go well with the skin of his girlfriend, age, clothing, etc. Rule of thumb: Tiffany and Tiffany Rings must be uncommon in the shape of your face, but can not be totally opposite at the same time.