Fighting fit? MPS in spotlight as soldiers rebuked for being obese

MPS ARE not entitled to criticise soldiers for being obese because so many of them are overweight themselves, a defence minister has suggested.

Mark Lancaster was asked in the House of Commons about figures showing that there are almost 18,000 clinically obese members of the Armed Forces. A further 398 suffer from type 2 diabetes, 160 are on diet pills and 16 have had liposuction.

Hugo Swire, a Tory MP, asked: “When is the secretary of state going to do something about the fitness of British Armed Forces?”

Mr Lancaster responded: “I am very grateful to my right honourable friend for raising this matter, although as I look across the room I wonder whether this is the right establishment to be criticising the British Army for obesity. However, every year all soldiers are required to carry out fitness tests.

“From April 1 we are changing that annual fitness test to make sure it is more aligned to the combat roles that our soldiers are required to carry out.”

In July 2018 there were 8,662 obese personnel in the Army, 4,666 in the Royal Navy and 4,274 in the Royal Air Force. The figures also show that 30,000 military staff are considered overweight, based on the body composition measure. A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: “Our personnel are required to pass our challenging fitness tests...those who do not pass are provided with diet and fitness support, in order to reach and maintain a healthy weight.”

The military said if personnel fail a fitness test, they are put on a targeted programme to help them back to the required levels.

Col Richard Kemp, the former Army commander in Afghanistan, told The Mail on Sunday earlier this month: “It is expensive and fraudulent, frankly, to retain troops in service who are this out of condition. They would be a danger to themselves in any sort of fighting situation and a danger to fitter troops serving alongside them.”