Posted April 25, 2010
Is the food eaten in America’s schools a matter of national security?
That’s what a group of retired military brass argued Tuesday in Washington, D.C. And in Tucson, some recruiters are watching their campaign with interest.
Mission: Readiness, a national nonprofit led by more than 100 retired generals and admirals, made the plea for better school nutrition after releasing the group’s latest findings on how America’s obesity epidemic is affecting the military.
The report “Too Fat to Fight,” which drew on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data, found that, nationwide, more than 9 million people ages 17 to 24 are too overweight to enlist.
It also found the problem has escalated.
“In the last decade, the number of states with 40 percent or more of young adults considered to be overweight has risen from one state to 39 states,” the report said.
The group is concerned America eventually could run short of enough healthy recruits to sustain its all-volunteer military.
Retired Navy Rear Adm. James Barnett Jr., a member of the officers group, said national security in the year 2030 is “absolutely dependent” on reversing child-obesity rates.
This isn’t the first time Congress has been asked to intervene in America’s dietary affairs in the interest of national security.
The National School Lunch Program was formed in 1946 in response to military concerns that many young men had been rejected for World War II for the opposite reason — lack of nutrition in potential recruits.
Today, the generals are urging the government to ban junk food and high-calorie drinks in schools. Research shows kids consume 40 percent of their total calories at school, the report said.
A school-lunch bill, currently awaiting a Senate vote, would establish healthier options for all foods in schools, including vending machine items. The legislation would spend $4.5 billion more over 10 years for nutrition programs.
Army 1st Sgt. Brian Homme of Tucson, who oversees about 50 Southern Arizona recruiters, said about three-quarters of young people don’t qualify to enlist because they don’t meet standards for fitness or education, or have criminal records.
“I would think anything that helps the overall well-being of the general public would probably translate into more people being qualified” to enlist, he said of the proposed legislation.
Arizona Army National Guard recruiter Master Sgt. Jeff Lund of Tucson suspects recruiters never see the worst cases.
“Someone who meets the medical criteria for obesity probably knows it’s not a good time to visit the recruiting office,” he said.
Lund echoed Homme’s statement that better nutrition could be a positive step.
“I think it’s great to raise awareness that would positively affect public health.”
Contact reporter Carol Ann Alaimo at calaimo@azstarnet.com or at 573-4138.
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