FATTENSHUN!
Army chiefs act over alarming 37,000 overweight troops
TUBBY troops face a clampdown as shocking figures reveal 37,000 soldiers – one in four – are too fat.
It is feared many members of the armed forces are skipping meals in their barracks and tucking into pizza and fast food instead.
The horrified head of the Army is understood to have demanded answers – and fears obesity is one of the greatest threats to the military.
General Sir Mark CarletonSmith, a former head of the SAS, believes fitness is a crucial part of training and is said to be staggered at the soaring obesity.
In 2018, the number deemed to be a health risk because of their weight was
22,896 – plus 7,633 who were at
ALARM “extreme risk”. Those numbers rose in 2019 to 24,424 and 8,361 respectively. And in 2020 they hit 28,838 and 8,891.
The alarming MoD statistics were obtained by the Mirror under a Freedom of Information request.
SCORE
The figures, thought to be the worst on record, are based on body composition measurements – and the risks refer to the chance of developing diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure.
Separate data shows almost 6,000 were classified as unconditioned after getting the lowest possible score on the Soldier Conditioning Review fitness test, introduced in 2019.
Up to 20 soldiers have been
given the boot for being too fat to fight in the past two years. Ten had a combined weight of more than 173st – with one tipping the scales at almost 30st.
More than 100 personnel have been sacked on fitness grounds since 2002.
One source said: “The Chief of the General Staff wants to know why so many are overweight and unfit, especially as fat soldiers cannot join the British Army.
“This means they are getting fat while serving when they are supposed to be fed a balanced diet and undertake daily exercise. Gen Carleton-Smith has asked for answers.”
Col Richard Kemp, a former commander in Afghanistan, said: “Except for illness or injury, there is no excuse for this. Allowing health to decline is the same as neglecting a weapon system or combat vehicle to the extent it cannot function when needed.”
The MoD said “education and training” was given to ensure personnel are physically fit, adding: “Where necessary, this is supplemented with programmes tailored to individuals’ needs.
“All personnel regularly undertake robust fitness tests to ensure they can fulfil job requirements.
“Personnel who don’t pass a fitness test receive support to ensure they meet the necessary standards.”
There’s no excuse for this. It’s like neglecting a weapon system...
COL RICHARD KEMP FORMER COMMANDER