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Fat teenagers are threatening America's national security because they are too overweight to join the military, says a report.
Too fat to fight: The overweight teenagers putting America at risk
Seeded on Sun May 2, 2010 10:34 AM EDT
Article Source: the Mail online- Enjoy this article? Help vote it up the 'Vine.
- Public Discussion (16)
The study blames the crisis – involving millions of youngsters – on unhealthy school meals. It claims nine million young adults, or 27 per cent of all Americans aged 17 to 24, are too fat to meet military recruiting standards.
I would hazard a guess that overweight teens will tend to come from lower income families who would be more inclined to join up in their teens - although I am making that assumption not citing it as fact.
- 2 votes
#1 - Sun May 2, 2010 10:36 AM EDTI would guess that it might be more prominent among lower income families, but, frankly, I can look around my upper-middle-class suburb and see a lot of really fat kids.
- 1 vote
I was over weight when I went into the Army, in the 80s I had to drop I think 10 or 15 lbs before entering, but I tell you once your in the boot camp you are going to lose the weight or die trying.
- 3 votes
America is putting itself at risk by not creating and enforcing programs to teach kids about better nutrition and exercise as well as self-esteem.
Also, why do they need kids anyway? Teenagers should be preparing for college and their futures after college like jobs and maybe even starting families, not preparing to die in a haze of gunfire.
Though, America is also putting itself at risk with its support of homophobia. If America didn't kick LGBT persons out of the army just for being who they are, they would have more soldiers to fight for and defend America.
- 2 votes
I think obesity is a problem that can't be measured by diversification. This problem is seen throughout all classes. There are more factors than income alone.
- 1 vote
#2 - Sun May 2, 2010 10:53 AM EDTnot to worry...
anyone familiar with the military (especially the Army) knows that most of our forces in actual fighting come from the inner city poor areas...throughout history the poor have primarily fought wars (Revolutionary, Civil, Korea, Viet Nam, etc.)...luckily for the more affluent people the poor are usually kept thinner from their meager existance in the poorer areas of society...It may not be the school cafeteria's complete fault...Of course desegregation of schools in the south did lead to more obese poor kids (ruined separate but equal school cafeteria menus)...With the advent of McDonalds, Burger King, and other fast-food major fat producing food places we may be upsetting the natural pecking order in the USA again...
Sounds like the typical far right winger fear factor has spread to obesity and what it may mean to our fighting forces...Now if the poorer people become more obese we may have to rely on those people who are higher up on the food chain to fight our wars and join the armed forces...That should almost be enough for Beck and his allies to close down fast food places in the inner city areas and maybe go back to separate but equal schools (food cafeterias)...
They could blame the teenage obesity problem on Obama and his socialist tendencies...This would allow them to tax the poor (especially minimum wage fast-food workers) more and lessen the tax burdens for the rich and privilidged...
Sounds like a no-lose situation for the far right wingers of the Republican party...
#3 - Sun May 2, 2010 12:14 PM EDTCheck out the link. Apparently you aren't familiar with the military (especially the Army). Poor, inner city areas are not overrepresented in the Army. In fact, it's the reverse. Your assumption that our fighting men and women are on the front lines because of economics is degrading to their service and is simply not factual. Yes, some join because they need a paycheck or the college money but most join out of patriotism and the desire to serve their country. Your rhetoric may sound good at the union hall but for those of us who serve and know better, you just sound ignorant.
- 2 votes
"Private Pyle...is that a jelly donut in your locker?"
Seriously though, lots of people are out of shape when they join the military. They don't stay that way for long. That being said, maybe less playstation and more athletics would be a benefit to kids these days...and real food, not quarter pounders and fries!
- 4 votes
#4 - Sun May 2, 2010 10:07 PM EDTIt's one thing for the military to take recruits who are "out of shape" as you say, and work them into shape. But boot camp is not "The Biggest Loser" and they're not able to work someone into shape who's carrying an extra hundred pounds.
- 3 votes
Typical America BS. We sue people when we should be pointing the finger at ourselves for our problems.
- 3 votes
#5 - Sun May 2, 2010 10:38 PM EDTSolution: Merely revise the entrance standards.
Then when the little tubs sign their "contract with America" you OWN their fat asses and PT them until they are sucking buttermilk.
It doesn't matter what shape they go in, it matters what shape they come out.
Just think of it as "flippng" fat kids just like real estate!
- 2 votes
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