Pentagon advisers are sounding the alarm because of a new threat to US national security, Stern reports. Nearly a third of young US citizens are now too complete for military service, according to a report in an organization uniting retired generals and admirals in Washington. Widespread obesity greatly complicates the recruitment of new military personnel and threatens combat capability, the report warns.

"Obesity has long threatened the health of our nation. In connection with the spreading epidemic, it now threatens our security as well, "the report reports..

"Last month, the US military announced that this year, for the first time in 13 years, they would largely fail to achieve their goal of recruiting 76.5 thousand. recruits. According to their data, 71% of American citizens aged 17 to 24 years do not meet the requirements for candidates for admission to the armed forces.. Along with drugs, insufficient education and weight problems were cited as one of the reasons, ”the article says..

"Meanwhile, the Pentagon is trying to counter this trend through various programs, which include special tests on physical training for future recruits, as well as luxury fitness centers and nutritional counseling in many military institutions. According to the authors of the study, this is not enough. It is much more important to inform parents and children about how important for life are proper nutrition and physical activity ", - reports Stern.

Translation: inopressa.