{"id":76852,"date":"2024-04-25T19:45:23","date_gmt":"2024-04-25T19:45:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/uncategorized\/2024\/04\/25\/advocates-urge-austin-to-act-on-active-duty-obesity-epidemic\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T16:13:53","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T16:13:53","slug":"advocates-urge-austin-to-act-on-active-duty-obesity-epidemic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/home\/2024\/04\/25\/advocates-urge-austin-to-act-on-active-duty-obesity-epidemic\/","title":{"rendered":"Advocates urge Austin to act on active duty obesity \u2018epidemic\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The military must take swift, decisive action to address obesity in the ranks, according to a new letter sent to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin Wednesday by a group of more than 50 individuals and organizations, including 21 retired senior military leaders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The letter, spearheaded by the American Security Project, urges defense leaders to strike at the core of the problem on five fronts related to prevention, identification and treatment of obesity in the military.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis crisis has far-reaching impacts on readiness and retention,\u201d wrote the group, which also includes health experts and advocacy organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The missive follows a study released by the organization last year showing that more than two-thirds of active duty members are overweight or obese<\/a>. About 1 out of 5 active duty members meet the clinical standard for obesity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDespite incredible leaps in medical and nutrition science, obesity and its comorbid conditions in the U.S. armed forces remain heavily stigmatized and underprioritized,\u201d the letter said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In spite of the need for adequate medical treatment for obesity, care is often inaccessible for military service members living with the disease, the American Security Project said in a release announcing the letter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMilitary regulations continue to rely on value judgments from commanders, and not consultations with medical experts, to determine whether and how a soldier receives treatment for obesity,\u201d the nonpartisan national security forum said in the release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the letter, systemic issues are preventing individuals with obesity from getting access to \u201cevidence-based treatments including behavioral therapy, anti-obesity medications and bariatric surgery.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead, the services \u201cpromote voluntary, willpower-based \u2018wellness\u2019 programs followed by forced enrollment in rigorous weight-loss programs associated with disordered eating, weight gain and even bone and muscle loss,\u201d according to the American Security Project. \u201cAs a result, military obesity rates across active duty alone have more than doubled over 10 years, with experts claiming the current state of military obesity treatment is more than 15 years behind current science.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMusculoskeletal injuries, heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, liver disease and other comorbid conditions are rising in tandem with body composition trends,\u201d the letter added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The letter recommended:<\/p>\n\n\n\n