Report Says Rise In Obesity May Compromise Military Readiness, National Security
Information taken from "The Christian Science Monitor" October, 2010

The Christian Science Monitor (10/15, Bryner) reported that from "2007 to 2008, 5.7 million American men and 16.5 million women of military age were ineligible for duty because they were overweight or obese," according to a team of Cornell researchers. "Almost one in four applicants to the military are rejected for being overweight or obese and it's the most common reason for medical disqualification," study researcher John Cawley, an "associate professor of policy analysis and management, said in a statement." Some retired generals and admirals said in a report they were concerned "that the increase in youth obesity might compromise military readiness and national security."