DOD Warns of Obesity's Impact on Military Readiness

Rising rates of obesity across the U.S. Armed Forces are an “urgent threat” that needs to be rectified as soon as possible.

That’s according to a new letter drafted by national organizations and more than 70 national security, military and public health stakeholders, addressed to the Pentagon and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

The correspondence cites increased rates of overweight service members and their obesity as the leading causes of recruitment disqualification, in addition to being key drivers of early separation, injury and serious adverse health events—describing all factors as “posing an urgent threat to readiness, manpower, and the overall health of the force.”

The letter’s main signees are the American Security Project (ASP) and Obesity Care Advocacy Network (OCAN), with support from other groups and organizations including the American Diabetes Association, American Psychological Association Services, and the Lupus Foundation of America.