National Security Strategy

The United States Armed Forces face an unprecedented challenge as obesity prevalence among service members continues to rise. As combat and incidental injuries become less prevalent year-over-year, rates of obesity-related conditions, including diabetes, osteoarthritis, hypertension, and fatty liver disease, increasingly meet or exceed civilian trends. Unlike in the civilian sector, however, the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense are hesitant to recognize and treat obesity as a disease. Four leading experts from across the national security and obesity care fields have come together to share the perspectives, best practices, and critical insights that our armed services can use to fight obesity in 2024.