Around 45,000 tubby Brit troops have been categorised as ‘dangerously obese’
Hundreds of soldiers have been placed on diet pills, and dozens have been sacked for being too fat to fight – which is a shame as there may be a war coming
Fighting fat – Almost 45,000 tubby Brit troops have been classified as dangerously overweight
Almost 45,000 tubby troops have been classified as dangerously overweight, the Daily Star Sunday can reveal. Hundreds have been placed on diet pills, and dozens have been sacked for being too fat to fight.
The heaviest soldier to be sacked weighed in at 27 stone, more than twice the weight of many of his comrades.
Another soldier, just a few pounds lighter, was given the boot after repeatedly failing fitness tests and was so large that he was unable to wear body armour. It comes as nearly 15,000 troops have been treated for alcohol abuse.
Figures released in a Freedom of Information (FOI) request also show that the ten tubbiest troops discharged for being overweight had a combined weight of 1.6 tonnes, equivalent to a caravan.
Troops with weight problems are often placed on diets and given extra physical training to help them get back in shape.
But those who cannot lose weight and fail PT tests face being axed. The FOI also revealed that, over the last 12 months, more than 320 soldiers have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, a form of the disease linked to lifestyle.
More than 300 troops have also received weight-loss drugs, while dozens of others have received liposuction, tummy tucks and surgery to reduce male breast size.
Ministry of Defence figures have also revealed that almost 1,800 troops were medically discharged because of weight problems, with at least 468 of those being classified as obese.
The armed forces have recognised that there has been a problem with overweight troops for several years. Overweight troops who fail fitness tests can be given extra PT, and most military barracks offer advice on weight loss.
But all military bases serve cooked breakfasts, and chips are often available at both lunch and dinner. Soldier magazine often runs features advising troops on the importance of diet and fitness, and how failing to stay fit can have a serious impact on their military careers.
Last night, Colonel Phil Ingram said there was no excuse for troops being overweight and described the crisis as a failure of leadership.
He said: “I’m staggered by these figures. You can’t join the Armed Forces if you are overweight, so this is happening while people are serving in the armed forces. This is a crisis, and it is a failure of commanders to ensure their troops are fit to fight.
“The British Army is a professional organisation, and there is no excuse for allowing troops to become overweight and obese.”
