Obesity has become the scourge of the U.S. military in recent years as service members across all branches struggle to pass muster on the fitness scale, both literally and figuratively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But it\u2019s not just them \u2014 diet issues across all American demographics are now considered a national security threat, according to a study by the Federal Nutrition Research Advisory Group<\/a> released July 20.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Poor diet is now the main cause of illnesses in America, with nutrition issues linked to the deaths of more than half a million people every year, according to the study\u2019s authors<\/a> and reported by CNN.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One goal of the study was to research the \u201cmounting diet-related health burdens facing our nation and corresponding economic, health equity, national security, and sustainability implications,\u201d the abstract reads. It also discusses food issues related to the current pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has further laid bare these strains, including food insecurity, major diet-related comorbidities for poor outcomes from COVID-19 such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity, and insufficient surveillance on and coordination of our food system,\u201d according to the paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And the situation regarding military-age Americans is dire and growing worse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhile nearly one-third of 17-to-24-year-olds are too overweight to qualify for military service, the problem starts much earlier,\u201d according to a 2018 report called Unhealthy and Unprepared<\/a>. \u201cChildren as young as two are experiencing rising obesity rates, which increase with age. Currently, 42 percent of teens between the ages of 16 and 19 are overweight.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Five years ago, the commanding general of Army Recruiting Command predicted that American diet issues would create a major recruiting crisis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe obesity issue is the most troubling because the trend is going in the wrong direction,\u201d then-Maj. Gen. Allen Batschelet said in 2015<\/a>. \u201cWe think by 2020 it could be as high as 50 percent, which means only 2 in 10 would qualify to join the Army.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n