Spooked by obesity trends, the U.S. military is redefining its basic fitness standards

[rangerrebew]

Spooked by obesity trends, the U.S. military is redefining its basic fitness standards
Andrew Tilghman, Military Times 5:01 a.m. EDT August 7, 2016
Marines with Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 2 Conduct a Physical Fitness Test

(Photo: Lance Cpl. Jodson Graves/Marine Corps)
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For the first time in 14 years, the military is rewriting its body composition standards and the methods used to determine whether troops are too fat to serve.

Pentagon officials intend to publish a new policy later this year, a document expected to have sweeping effects on how the military defines and measures health and fitness. The review comes amid rising concern about obesity. Among civilians, it is shrinking the pool of qualified prospective recruits. And in the active-duty force, a rising number of overweight troops poses risks to readiness and health care costs.

http://www.militarytimes.com/story/military/careers/2016/08/07/military-fitness-standards-body-fat/87748588/

[rangerrebew]

Didn't the Marines just relax their standards so more women could pass?

[Timber Rattler]

Some observations:

1) Young kids and teens don't get nearly as much exercise in school as we once did because P.E. and recess time have been drastically reduced over the years so that the kids are effectively chained to their desks to get more "instructional time."  I see it with my two kids currently in school.

2) Kids don't go outdoors and play like we did for various reasons, including video games, television, and safety (with child predators seemingly infesting every community these days).

3) On base food courts and fast food joints serve mostly junk to the troops in garrison.

4) The proliferation of "mandatory training" and "administrative/staff duties" in today's military keep the troops, especially officers, sitting flat on their butts many days in cubes, offices, and/or auditoriums, instead of out in the field.