Nearly 10,000 Army Soldiers Emerged From Covid Lockdowns Obese

According to a pamphlet released by the American Security Project, Obesity is the greatest barrier to recruitment in the American military, a problem that is only getting worse day by day. Almost 10,000 active-duty Army soldiers emerged from coronavirus lockdowns obese, pushing the rate to nearly a quarter of the troops studied. Major weight gains were also seen in the Navy and Marines, as reported by The Associated Press.

The American Security Project (ASP) highlighted the nation’s runaway obesity epidemic through their pamphlet, jeopardizing national security. The ASP raised concerns that if trends in overweight and obesity persist, the military may no longer be able to recruit enough personnel to fulfill its national security obligations.

Obesity has already incurred heavy costs on the American military. Studies reveal that more than 650,000 workdays are lost annually due to excessive weight, imposing a significant financial burden on the Department of Defense, which spends nearly $1.5 billion in obesity-related health-care costs annually.

This problem has drastically impacted the recruitment of fresh, new soldiers who are in prime shape. According to the CDC, less than 30% of Americans aged 17-24, accounting for 90% of military applicants, are eligible to serve in the armed forces due to their weight.

In the past year, the Army missed its recruitment goals for the first time with a 15,000-member shortfall. The next generation of recruits is not even close to healthier than the current one, with one in five American children being categorically obese. Due to this unprecedented crisis, doctors are now recommending a cocktail of pharmaceuticals and invasive surgeries as a last resort to combat the epidemic.

Military bases continue to subsidize unhealthy lifestyles, and soldiers have two options: to embrace cheap, unhealthy options or to take a 30-minute trip off-post to find healthy options that cost a premium. 2-for-1 Monster energy drinks, discounted hot dogs, and chewing tobacco are a regular lunch plan for most troops, a trend that needs to be reversed immediately.

Tristan Justice is the western correspondent for The Federalist and the author of Social Justice Redux, a conservative newsletter on culture, health, and wellness. He has also written for The Washington Examiner and The Daily Signal. His work has also been featured in Real Clear Politics and Fox News. Tristan graduated from George Washington University where he majored in political science and minored in journalism. Follow him on Twitter at @JusticeTristan or contact him at [email protected]. Sign up for Tristan’s email newsletter here.