- link Copy URL - [ Share on X ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Improving the Quality of Life for our Country’s Brave Troops https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/74666?absolute=1&via=3blnews "Share on X") - [ Share on linkedin ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/74666?absolute=1 "Share on Linkedin") - [ Share on facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/74666?absolute=1 "Share on Facebook") - [ email Share via email ](mailto:?subject=Improving the Quality of Life for our Country’s Brave Troops&body=ESG News from Sodexo, Inc. https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/74666?absolute=1 "Share via email") [Health & Healthcare](/categories/health-healthcare) # Improving the Quality of Life for our Country’s Brave Troops ##### By: Robert Irvine Sep 19, 2016 10:35 AM ET ![](https://3blcdn.com/styles/carousel_2x/s3/2026-08/121914_ri-00092_1786917855.jpg "Robert Irvine") Robert Irvine [Improving the Quality of Life for our Country’s Brave Troops](http://sodexoinsights.com/improving-quality-life-brave-troops/) Fit or fat? According to data from the [U.S. Centers for Disease Control](http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/obesity-overweight.htm), about 70 percent of adults in America are overweight or obese. And based on a recent [report](http://www.militarytimes.com/articles/the-us-military-has-a-huge-problem-with-obesity-and-its-only-getting-worse), our active duty U.S. military personnel are not immune to the nation’s obesity epidemic. New data disclosed by the Pentagon shows 7.8 percent of the total military force is now classified as overweight or obese, defined by a body mass index, or BMI, greater than 25. While as a group, military members are far less obese than the overall American adult population, the obesity rate among the military force has risen steadily over the past 15 years. The entire force has seen a jump in obesity since 2001, when 1.6 percent of the troops—about one in every 60—were obese or overweight, to about one in every 13 troops in 2015—a rate of 7.8 percent. Data show the obesity rate varies by job type, with less obesity among combat troops (6.7 percent), and is highest among women, African Americans, Hispanics and older service members. It’s important for all of us to make health and wellness a priority, and this is especially true of our military personnel who face the rigors of military life. Their jobs demand daily stamina and strength, whether for physical training, walking over rough terrain, or moving quickly on the battlefield to keep themselves and their fellow soldiers out of harm’s way. And a healthy and fit military is essential to our national security. While these new statistics may not present an immediate cause for concern about our military personnel’s fitness or military readiness, it’s an opportunity to strengthen our resolve. As a chef who is passionate about eating well and equally as passionate about supporting the dedicated men and women who bravely serve our country, I am honored to join forces with Sodexo on a 10-year partnership to make a positive impact on the health and wellness of the people in military communities across the country. Together, we will create nutritious meals that satisfy our troops while helping them maintain healthy and active lifestyles. I believe that nothing is impossible—especially when it comes to a healthier lifestyle. People can be empowered through fitness and fuel every day. A commitment to healthier eating and exercise habits now can not only give you more energy and enjoyment but also help lead to a lifetime of better health. Together we can fight this battle and win! What are your thoughts on how we can help our troops maintain a healthy lifestyle? We would love to hear from you on [sodexoinsights.com](http://sodexoinsights.com/improving-quality-life-brave-troops/). ### Additional Media #### Images [ ![](https://3blcdn.com/styles/carousel_thumbnail_x2/s3/images/robert-irvine-uso-tour_16039153257_o.jpg?h=abd14ed6) ](https://3blcdn.com/images/robert-irvine-uso-tour_16039153257_o.jpg) [![](/sites/default/files/Clients/Right_4color.jpg)](/profiles/sodexo-inc) ### More from Sodexo, Inc. ###### [Sodexo at Vidant Medical Center Reduces Food Waste Amid COVID-19](/news/sodexo-vidant-medical-center-reduces-food-waste-amid-covid-19) Apr 8, 2021 11:50 AM ET ###### [Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation Awards Two Women-Led Nonprofits With Its Inaugural Women Empowerment Grants ](/news/sodexo-stop-hunger-foundation-awards-two-women-led-nonprofits-its-inaugural-women-empowerment) Mar 30, 2021 2:20 PM ET ###### [Sodexo and 'Women Back to Work' Help Bridge the Employment Gap for Women Re-entering the Workforce](/news/sodexo-and-women-back-work-help-bridge-employment-gap-women-re-entering-workforce) Mar 15, 2021 9:00 AM ET ###### [Rollins College and Sodexo Launch New Program to Support Money to Student Emergency Fund Through Cookie Sales ](/news/rollins-college-and-sodexo-launch-new-program-support-money-student-emergency-fund) Feb 26, 2021 11:35 AM ET ###### [ Sodexo Donates $100,000 of PPE to South Florida Nonprofit](/news/sodexo-donates-100000-ppe-south-florida-nonprofit) Feb 25, 2021 2:50 PM ET ###### [Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare and Sodexo Launch New Program to Address Food Insecurity With Emergency Food Kits](/news/tallahassee-memorial-healthcare-and-sodexo-launch-new-program-address-food-insecurity-emergency) Feb 25, 2021 2:00 PM ET ###### [Sodexo Receives 100% on the Human Rights Campaign's 2021 Corporate Equality Index, Earning the Designation of “Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality”](/news/sodexo-receives-100-human-rights-campaigns-2021-corporate-equality-index-earning-designation) Jan 28, 2021 9:00 AM ET ###### [Sodexo Donates 46,000 Snack Packages to the Greater Boston Food Bank With the Transportation Support of Sterling Corporation](/news/sodexo-donates-46000-snack-packages-greater-boston-food-bank-transportation-support-sterling) Dec 22, 2020 5:15 PM ET