Potential Solutions: Too Fat to Fight?

The obesity epidemic became so alarming that in 2010 more than 130 U.S. military leaders—retired generals, admirals, and others—issued the report “Too Fat to Fight: Retired Military Leaders Want Junk Food Out of America’s Schools.” The report framed the issue as a national security threat, stating that, “Obesity rates threaten the overall health of America and the future strength of our military.” The authors recommended removing junk food from schools, increasing funding to improve nutritional standards and the quality of school food, and providing more effective programs to reduce childhood obesity.