Do you agree with the Pentagon that chidhood obesity is a major component of a national security threat?

Question

"U.S. military-age youth are increasingly unfit to serve - mostly because they’re in such lousy shape.

According to the latest Pentagon figures, a full 35 percent, or more than one-third, of the roughly 31.2 million Americans aged 17 to 24 are unqualified for military service because of physical and medical issues. And, said Curt Gilroy, the Pentagon’s director of accessions, 'the major component of this is obesity. We have an obesity crisis in the country. There’s no question about it.'"

"In a study being released Thursday in Washington, Education Secretary Arne Duncan and a group of retired military officers led by former Army Gen. Wesley Clark will sound the alarm bells and call young Americans’ relative lack of overall fitness for military duty a national security threat. The group, Mission: Readiness, will release a report that draws on Pentagon data showing that 75 percent of the nation’s 17- to 24-year-olds are ineligible for service for a variety of reasons".

I understand that Michelle Obama has been working on this as well.

Answer 1

Yes a healthy youhg population is vital for any nations security.



The British in World War I faced the problem when it came to man power due to poor health. The healthy manpower was simply not there — in 1917–18 only 36% of men examined were suitable for full military duties, and 40% were either totally unfit or were classified as unable to undergo physical exertion. Decades of poor nutrition for children , crowded housing etc and finally rationing of food became less nutrious for young growing men just when they needed it most.



The result was the British Army could not replace previous losses due to an unhealthy young population. It doesn't matter if it's under or over wieght it still leads to the same problem. A lack of healthy young people vital for national security.

Answer 2

"Security threat"? Hmm ... I guess that's one way of coming at it.



It is certainly generally a threat to the wellbeing of the country, the economy, etc. It makes our military less effective - but I believe that increased technology and intelligence more than makes up for it.



I believe that the Pentagon would argue that if it made the incoming soldiers 1% less effective, it would be considered a threat - and with that argument, I guess I couldn't argue - but there are a lot bigger threats militarily - like the fact that our electrical grid is so fragile, the fact that we're so dependent on oil, the fact that we like to gather in huge stadiums and watch football games, etc.



But yeah, obesity is a major problem in this country and (in combination with our apalling health care system) is certainly a huge reason why such a rich country has progressively less and less healthy citizens.

Answer 3

No I don't. The Pentagon is intruding into families in order to snatch children. Their job is to play with the hand they get dealt with and pray to God they win.