Our military is fat and sleepless

[MillCreek]

https://www.militarytimes.com/off-duty/military-culture/2018/10/03/a-staggering-number-of-troops-are-fat-and-tired-report-says/

https://www.rand.org/nsrd/projects/hrbs.html

https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR1695.html

But on the upside, use of energy drinks is up.  In terms of the overweight/obesity, I would have appreciated actual data on the US population as a whole for comparison: are these military figures better or worse than the overall US population?

[French G.]

One issue is the military standards for fat. Using convoluted ways to arrive at a BMI equivalent, neck to waist ratio for me. I was borderline obese in the military, 73" and 215 lbs. My body fat was less according to them when I was 230 because I had a 19" neck.

[makattak]

https://www.militarytimes.com/off-duty/military-culture/2018/10/03/a-staggering-number-of-troops-are-fat-and-tired-report-says/

https://www.rand.org/nsrd/projects/hrbs.html

https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR1695.html

But on the upside, use of energy drinks is up.  In terms of the overweight/obesity, I would have appreciated actual data on the US population as a whole for comparison: are these military figures better or worse than the overall US population?

I work at a fairly upscale college, so I see a great number of people about the same age as the age demographics of the military. Additionally, like members of the military, you'd expect students at my school to be more fit than average (wealth tends to be correlated with such things.)

I can say from my anecdotal observations that the cohorts of the current generation are overweight at a much higher rate than when I was in that age group. (I've actually asked 20-25 year olds*, effectively: "Is your generation just extra fat?" and gotten a response of laughter and then "Yes!" )



*Not overweight ones, as that would be rather rude. And my phrasing was likely more delicate than the summation. But my observations were striking enough to me that I wanted the perspective of one from that age group.

[Sindawe]

But on the upside, use of energy drinks is up

Unless the energy drinks are the sugar free variety, these can greatly contribute to excess fat on a person.

[Fly320s]

Unless the energy drinks are the sugar free variety, these can greatly contribute to excess fat on a person.

Especially if they are sugar-free.  Sugar isn't that bad because our bodies know how to process it.  It is the artificial sweetners that are really screwing us up.  If your body needs sugar/simple carbs (and it does in moderation), then give it sugar/simple carbs, not something that tastes like sugar but has no calories and no nutrional benefit.  That doesn't cancel the need/craving for the sugar, it just makes it worse.

Eat in moderation: real meat, real fat, real veggies, real sugar, real water.

Try to avoid: everything artificial.

Put down: the phone/tablet/PC/TV.

Pick up: a ball/rake/bike/shoes.

This isn't rocket surgery.

[Pb]

Fat young people are everywhere.  Probably 40% or so around me.

[T.O.M.]

Yeah, military weight standards are...interesting.  My son is doing Navy ROTC.  He's 6'2", weighed in at 230 at check in, and was told he would need to see the doctor for a weight waiver.  Never mind he passed the fitness test with no problems, including the run (1.5 miles in under 12 minutes) and the swim test.  Doc said that based on the measurements, his waist was just barely under.

[Frank Castle]

The Military is fat, because of beer and whiskey!  We drink and we drink heavily.

 But no one going to admit this tho! We don't want end up in the Army Substance Abuse Program. (ASAP)

[Sindawe]

I can say from my anecdotal observations that the cohorts of the current generation are overweight at a much higher rate than when I was in that age group. (I've actually asked 20-25 year olds*, effectively: "Is your generation just extra fat?" and gotten a response of laughter and then "Yes!" )

I've watched that as well.  Growing up in the late 60s/early 70s I was the fat kid of our group five.  Now the ratio is inverted from my observations of the school kids in the area.  Adults are even worse with a trim individual apparently rare, even in my state which ranked first for fitness in 2016.

Sugar isn't that bad because our bodies know how to process it....Eat in moderation

Therein lies the rub.  Simple sugars are in damn near EVERYTHING anymore, including foods one would not think they'd be in such as salsa or peanut butter.

[RoadKingLarry]

There is also some correlation between lack of sleep and weight gain.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/expert-answers/sleep-and-weight-gain/faq-20058198

[French G.]

The sleep issue certainly leads to the obesity. As the study indicates, but also the military schedule encourages quick food choices and energy drink use. Which is epidemic. I knew plenty of people that were good for a dozen red bull in a day. Work all day, wake up at 0300 for a watch, work all day, workout, maybe put on a fireman suit and run around a bit, four hours sleep wake up for watch, repeat. In between you eat what you can.

Sleep is an afterthought unless you are aircrew. It has been tried to implement crew rest standards into aviation maintenance, so far the best we have is rigid policies on how long before work you must be alcohol free. Now with random breathalyzer! Oh yeah, night shift, be here at 0900 for awards quarters.

[Andiron]

The Military is fat, because of beer and whiskey!  We drink and we drink heavily.

 But no one going to admit this tho! We don't want end up in the Army Substance Abuse Program. (ASAP)

Need this on a t-shirt:  "I joined to see the world and kill interesting people and all I got was alcoholism, a bad back and this dumb shirt."