The United States faces an unexpected threat to its national security: obesity. Seventy-seven percent of young Americans today are ineligible to serve in the military, with obesity as the single leading disqualifier. With the national adult obesity rate soaring to 41.9 percent, the United States military grapples with unprecedented challenges in recruitment, readiness, and operational effectiveness. As processed foods dominate American diets and physical activity declines, obesity is becoming a critical vulnerability in the US national defense strategy.
The roots of America’s obesity crisis can be traced back to the post-World War II era. In response to the wartime surplus, the United States developed an industrial food system—a highly mechanized and centralized approach to agriculture and food production focused on efficiency, large-scale outputs, and maximizing corporate profits. This shift forever altered the American food landscape.
In the early 20th century, only a minimal portion of food was processed. Today, Americans consume over 600,000 different processed foods, comprising 60 to 90 percent of their diet. These cheap, calorie-dense products laden with added sugars, unhealthy fats, and preservatives have significantly contributed to rising obesity rates. At the same time, lifestyle changes have decreased physical activity levels, with the American Heart Association reporting that about 75 percent of high school students fail to meet the recommended one hour of exercise per day. The impact of these changes is evident in the obesity statistics over the past few decades. In 1990, no US state had an obesity rate higher than 14 percent. This quickly changed, and by 2002, every state surpassed the 15 percent mark. Just eight years later, no state had a rate below 20 percent. This dramatic rise in obesity rates has far-reaching consequences beyond public health, affecting various sectors of society.
The obesity epidemic poses a major threat to national security, impacting military recruitment and readiness. In addition to decreasing the rate of young Americans eligible for military service, the crisis has tangible consequences: The US Army fell 25 percent short of its recruitment goals in 2022.
Recent trends are alarming. In 2021, 22 percent of active service members were classified as obese, marking a 12 percent increase from the previous year. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated this issue, with a study finding that 26.7 percent of soldiers who had a healthy body mass index (BMI) prior to the pandemic became overweight, and 15.6 percent of overweight active-duty soldiers became obese during this period. Lockdowns, reduced physical training, stress, and disruptions to daily routines contributed to this trend.
The impact of the obesity epidemic on the US military extends far beyond recruitment to active-duty personnel and overall operational readiness. Operational readiness is compromised, with studies across thousands of military service members revealing a strong connection between obesity, low physical fitness, and a higher risk of musculoskeletal injuries. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that soldiers with obesity are 33 percent more likely to sustain these injuries, resulting in 25 million days of limited duty each year across all military branches.
The obesity epidemic also impacts operational capabilities. A study found that “soldiers with obesity may not be able to attain or maintain the level of physical activity necessary for adequate health and fitness.” Obesity also affects soldiers’ ability to operate vehicles safely, with obese drivers more likely to be involved in fatal crashes, partly due to health issues like sleep apnea and limited mobility. For military personnel operating complex machinery and vehicles, this presents a significant risk.
The economic toll is substantial. The Department of Defense (DOD) spends approximately $1.5 billion annually on obesity-related healthcare costs for current and former service members and their families. Additionally, lost workdays due to obesity for active-duty military personnel amount to 658,000 days per year, costing the DOD $103 million annually.
In a worst-case scenario where the United States must respond quickly to a national emergency or large-scale conflict, the limited pool of physically fit individuals would place our country at a significant disadvantage.
However, the military has not been idle in the face of this crisis. Various branches implemented programs to address obesity among recruits and active-duty personnel. The Army experimented with the Assessment of Recruit Motivation and Strength (ARMS) study, which allowed overweight recruits to obtain an enlistment waiver if they could pass a physical fitness test. This initiative led to a 13 percent increase in male recruits and a 20 percent increase in female recruits. More recently, some branches have implemented preparatory courses for overweight recruits. In April 2023, the Navy launched a three-week fitness class for recruits who were between 2 and 6 percent above the Navy’s body composition requirements.
On military bases, efforts have been made to promote healthier lifestyles. These include expanding gym hours, increasing unit workouts, and making changes to dining halls such as color-coding foods (green for healthy, red for junk food) and offering more nutritional snacks. While maintaining physical fitness standards is key for many military roles, the evolving nature of warfare presents opportunities for those who may not meet traditional physical requirements. Roles in cybersecurity, drone operation, and intelligence analysis could potentially accommodate individuals with obesity, allowing the military to tap into a larger talent pool.
Military leaders, while implementing internal changes within the armed forces, argue that broader societal changes are necessary to address the root causes of obesity. Recognizing that this issue extends beyond the military’s direct control, they have been vocal about the need for action on a national level. Mission: Readiness, an organization of retired senior military leaders, has called on Congress to take immediate steps to address this issue. Their recommendations focus on early prevention and community-wide solutions, including 1) allowing the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to adopt stricter nutrition standards in schools; 2) increasing funding for improved meal quality; and 3) implementing school-based programs engaging parents in children’s health habits. Notably, the recommendations from military leaders align closely with guidance issued by public health officials. There is clearly a need for a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach. The CDC suggests “Promoting community designs that support inclusive, safe, and accessible places for people to be physically active in communities with many service members.”
Despite widespread concern and proposed interventions, it’s important to recognize that the discourse surrounding obesity is not without controversy. Though BMI is widely used to assess obesity, including in military recruitment, it has faced criticism. The CDC acknowledges that BMI does not always accurately measure health, as it does not differentiate between fat, muscle, and bone mass. Factors such as age, sex, ethnicity, and muscle mass could impact the relationship between BMI and actual body fat.
The obesity debate hinges on balancing individual responsibility with systemic factors. While personal choice plays a role, the pervasive nature of the epidemic suggests that broader societal and environmental factors are at play, indicating a need for governmental policy and action. As the military grapples with obesity-related recruitment challenges, there are concerns about potential discrimination. In 2013, the American Medical Association (AMA) recognized obesity as a disease. This classification reveals the complex genetic, physiological, and environmental factors contributing to obesity. Efforts to address obesity should be balanced against the need for fair and inclusive recruitment practices.
The health of our nation and the strength of our military depend on tackling the obesity epidemic. Despite the consensus among military leaders and public health officials, and urgent concerns about national security from military personnel, government action has been slow, with the food industry’s lobbying efforts contributing to this inertia. There must be a stronger, bipartisan approach to addressing the obesity epidemic as a national security issue. One potential solution is to integrate health initiatives into the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This could include funding for obesity prevention programs in communities with high military recruitment rates and research into the impact of obesity on military readiness. Ultimately, addressing this issue will require a comprehensive approach, including improving school nutrition programs, promoting physical activity, and critically examining the systemic factors contributing to the obesity epidemic.