Taking action to reverse the obesity epidemic has never been more central to supporting our troops. Every day, our recruiting stations are forced to turn away young Americans whose greatest wish is to serve their country, as many of their ancestors, peers and family have done before them. Unfortunately, many of these same Americans are too overweight to follow in these very worthy footsteps. This is more than a disservice to our youth and their dreams; it is also a threat to our national preparedness.
According to a report by Mission: Readiness, the United States military discharges more than 1,200 first-term enlistees every year because they cannot maintain a healthy weight, and being overweight is the leading medical reason why applicants fail to qualify for military service. Between 1995 and 2008, the proportion of potential recruits who failed their initial military physicals because they were overweight rose nearly 70 percent, and today, more than 9 million Americans of prime recruiting age are too overweight to join up.
In addition to obesity’s toll on our troops’ ability to serve, its cost to the Department of Defense—and thus to American taxpayers—is staggering. For each discharged enlistee, the military must recruit and train a replacement at a cost of $ 50,000, and the 1,200 troops discharged last year for failing to meet body-fat standards cost taxpayers over $ 60 million. That figure pales in comparison, however, to the $ 1 billion cost of treating the obesity-related problems of military personnel and their families. The military’s healthcare system, TRICARE, estimates that 40 percent of military dependents are overweight or obese.
Targeted efforts to reverse the nation’s obesity epidemic are essential, not just for the overall public health of the nation but also to ensure a robust military. We have made strides in recent years and will continue to do so by promoting obesity prevention, diabetes prevention through improved nutrition and increased physical activity, but we must continue to add to our efforts by helping Americans to get moving in safe, easy, accessible and affordable ways.
These measures would enable Americans to combat the tide of inactivity that has allowed the obesity epidemic to spiral and threaten our national preparedness. As it stands, only 3.8 percent of U.S. elementary schools, 7.9 percent of U.S. middle schools and 2.1 percent of U.S. high schools provide daily physical education for students, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Meanwhile, our lifestyles continue to become more and more sedentary. Today, fewer than 15 percent of schoolchildren currently walk or bike to school as opposed to the approximately 50
… Continue reading here. Fitnovatives Blog — Courtesy “American Council On Exercise” (ACEfitness.org)
A compilation video of people getting hit and injured with exercise balls. Never knew these balls were so popular until Ive seen tons of people getting hit a…
Want the secret to fresher feeling calf’s? The key is Zoot’s Ultra 2.0 CRx Calf Sleeves. Graduated muscle-specific zones of compression to stabilize muscles, reduce damage during exercise, and improve performance. NEW Lighter weight yarn transports moisture away from the skin spreading quickly and drying faster. Experience the benefits yourself with the Zoot Ultra 2.0 CRx Calf Sleeves. See our Size Charts tab for circumferential sizing information. Scientifically tested. Athlete approved.Fabric:NEW Lighter weight yarn transports moisture away from the skin spreading quickly and drying fasterCRx = improved blood circulationZoneRx = increased oxygen delivery to musclesBIOwrap = targeted muscle stabilizationThe no foot design provides the same superior compression benefits of the Zoot Ultra sock but offers the athlete the option to wear their favorite socks18-30mmHg
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Exercise balls are essential for maintaining flexibility while also building strength and balance. This Yoga Ball is perfect for strengthening your core stretch. The ball is sized perfectly for adults and is perfect for all types of exercises. Use it as a desk chair or take it to the gym. Made from a high density polymer that resists tearing and puncturing it is designed to support up to 600 pounds of pressure. This ball includes an easy-to-use foot pump which inflates and deflates the ball. Balance ball is available in blue as well as purple color. Features: Size: 26 inches in diameter 2 Designed to support up to 600 pounds of pressure 3 Inflates and deflates easily 4 Textured, slip free surface resists tearing and puncturing
This comprehensive resource contains the latest data on the effects of exercise on blood glucose and metabolism, prevention of type 2, treatment plans, and medication adjustment, as well as exercise’s effects on conditions such as retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy. Highlights special patient groups.
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In just four steps, you can improve your health for the better and this article will show you how. The steps below are bite-sized nuggets of health information you can actually use to live a healthy life. Here we go… Nutritional supplements are the first step As far as I’m concerned, they are very important […]
Several food and nutrition trends were in the spotlight this year, including the continued rise of plant-based diets, non-dairy ice creams and superfoods that are blasts from the past — legumes, apples and cabbage. It can be easy to experience nutrition whiplash in the New Year, but don’t be a victim. Get a jump-start on […]
Setting intentions is a powerful thing. Then when you have that shiny new gym membership in hand, you feel like nothing stands between you and your goals to get in shape once and for all. Trouble is, lack of motivation, unpreparedness and busy schedules have a way of interfering with our plans. If you find […]
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