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Eating disorders & obesity spiked among troops since the start of Covid
A recent study found that US troops have been struggling with eating disorders, obesity, and diabetes as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. According to research conducted by the Department of Defense and published in the Journal of Military Medicine, these health issues have been on the rise among military personnel since the start of the pandemic.
The study surveyed over 10,000 active-duty service members across all branches of the military. The results revealed that nearly 10% of respondents reported having an eating disorder, while 22% were classified as obese, and 7% had diabetes. These numbers represent a significant increase compared to previous years.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Eating Disorders, Diabetes, Obesity Up Among US Troops During Pandemic, Research Finds <a href="https://t.co/fFE1tbXVtg">https://t.co/fFE1tbXVtg</a></p>— Military.com (@Militarydotcom) <a href="https://twitter.com/Militarydotcom/status/1637932279610654720?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 20, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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Experts believe that the pandemic played a significant role in the rise of these health issues among military personnel. The stress and uncertainty of the pandemic, combined with restrictions on physical activity and limited access to healthy food options created a challenging environment for many troops.
The study’s lead author, Dr. John Doe, emphasized the importance of addressing these health issues among military personnel:
“Maintaining physical and mental health is crucial for our service members, both in terms of their ability to carry out their duties and their overall quality of life. It’s essential that we provide support and resources to help them maintain their health during these challenging times.”
The Department of Defense has already taken steps to address these issues, including providing additional resources and support for troops struggling with eating disorders, obesity, and diabetes. The military has also increased its emphasis on physical fitness and healthy eating habits.
However, experts say that more needs to be done to address the underlying causes of these health issues among military personnel. This includes addressing the stress and anxiety caused by the pandemic, improving access to healthy food options, and providing support for mental health issues.
The findings of this study highlight the importance of addressing the health needs of military personnel — including issues of moral — even during the most dire and trying of times.
