First, it was the launch of the Let's Move Campaign to encourage change toward healthier eating and fitness habits. Then there were updated school lunch guidelines to match-up what is served in public schools with the MyPlate healthy eating guidelines. Now for the first time in nearly twenty years the military will get a nutrition overhaul aimed to help more Americans beat obesity. Last week the First Lady joined the Assistant U.S. Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs at the Little Rock Air Force Base to announce the new Health Services focus. The Military Health System obesity and nutrition awareness campaign will provide a large revamp to nutrition standards and meal service to our military men and women, retirees and their families. Each year the military discharges about 1,200 entry-level candidates because of their inability to meet fitness and weight standards. At the same time, the Defense Department spends nearly $1.4 billion on obesity related health problems including diabetes, heart disease, and osteoarthritis. The Department of Defense believes the new changes will help reduce costs and increase military readiness by improving the overall health of the military population. At the same time, our military will be setting a powerful example for the rest of the nation. Here are some of the changes expected in the coming months. The new obesity and nutrition awareness program will implement redesigned menus at all 1,100 American military dining facilities. The updated menus will focus on increasing fruits, vegetables, and whole grains while lowering fat laden entrees offered to our 1.45 million service men and woman each day. Healthier foods will also be included in base schools, vending machines and at snack bars throughout military bases. Some critics have sighted that our active service men and women are healthy and fit because their lives depend on it so the changes are not necessary. Others suggest that these changes help ensure availability of foods and snacks that follow the Dietary Guidelines that all Americans are encouraged to follow. Most certainly, these changes will help cut medical costs for our troops and their families, which ultimately benefits our country financially. Since statistics reveal the nutritional state of our nation is not improving, this new government health campaign will certainly help stabilize or improve a problem that we have been ignoring for far too long. The Department of Defense considers obesity to be a problem of national security. While no one wants to see the reinstatement of the armed forces draft from days gone by, having a healthy population with lower obesity rates helps ensure more men and women can take advantage of the military career they desire. What do you think? Is this new initiative right on track or a bit of an overreach? |
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