Report on the Impact of Nutrition on U.S. Military Readiness and the Role of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Introduction

The strength of a nation’s military depends not only on advanced weaponry and strategic intelligence but critically on the health and resilience of its personnel. In the United States, internal health challenges—primarily driven by poor nutrition—are undermining military readiness at all stages: recruitment, active duty, and post-discharge care. This report emphasizes the importance of addressing these issues through the lens of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

Challenges in Military Recruitment and Health

1. Recruitment Barriers Due to Poor Health
   • Approximately 77% of Americans aged 17–24 are ineligible for military service, with medical and weight issues as leading disqualifiers.
   • Obesity and chronic conditions such as prediabetes and hypertension are rising among youth, shrinking the pool of qualified recruits.
   • Prediabetes prevalence increased from 88 million to 98 million between 2020 and 2022, yet screening among Active Duty Service Members (ADSMs) remains low.
2. Health Issues Among Active-Duty Personnel
   • Over 40% of ADSMs have at least one chronic preventable condition, many diet-related, including high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease.
   • Obesity rates among active-duty members have increased from 15% in 2015 to 22% currently, with significant impacts on readiness and injury risk.
   • Cardiovascular health is deteriorating, with studies showing suboptimal blood pressure and detectable heart disease in a large portion of military personnel.
3. Financial and Operational Impacts
   • The Department of Defense (DOD) spends over $1.5 billion annually on obesity-related care and billions more on related chronic conditions.
   • Chronic illnesses contribute to increased treatment costs, discharge processing, and reduced morale and operational readiness.

Post-Service Health Burden on Veterans

• Veterans face elevated rates of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular conditions.
• The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is overwhelmed by diet-related illnesses, leading to increased healthcare demands and costs.
• Many veterans endure prolonged medical treatments and preventable suffering linked to poor nutrition during service.

Strategic Importance of Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine

Addressing nutrition as a strategic defense asset aligns with several SDGs, including:

• SDG 3: Ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages.
• SDG 2: Ending hunger and promoting sustainable agriculture through improved food systems.
• SDG 12: Ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns, particularly in institutional food environments.

Lifestyle medicine, focusing on diet, physical activity, sleep, stress management, and avoidance of harmful substances, offers a practical, evidence-based approach to prevent and reverse chronic conditions undermining military readiness.

Recommendations for Military and Veteran Health Reform

1. Training and Education
   • Equip military and civilian healthcare teams with skills to implement evidence-based lifestyle interventions.
   • Integrate nutrition, movement, and stress management principles into military training and education programs.
2. Food Environment Improvements
   • Reform military food systems to prioritize whole-food, plant-predominant diets over ultra-processed options.
   • Redesign mess halls and food services so that the healthiest choices are the most accessible and appealing.
3. Program Expansion and Policy Reform
   • Scale lifestyle medicine pilot programs, such as those in the Air and Space Forces.
   • Incorporate nutrition support and plant-based options into VA healthcare services.
4. Investment in Health as National Security
   • Recognize nutrition as a strategic priority equivalent to funding advanced weaponry.
   • Invest in precision nutrition initiatives to enhance force readiness and long-term veteran health.

Conclusion

The current American diet poses a significant threat to national security by compromising military recruitment, readiness, and veteran health. Aligning military food systems and healthcare policies with the Sustainable Development Goals can break the cycle of chronic disease and improve outcomes for service members and veterans alike. Prioritizing nutrition and lifestyle medicine is essential to maintaining a fit, resilient force capable of meeting the demands of service and life beyond the military.

Report prepared by Ed Gaskin, Executive Director of Greater Grove Hall Main Streets and founder of Sunday Celebrations.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • Focus on improving nutrition and promoting sustainable food systems.
2. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Addressing chronic diseases, health screening, and healthcare costs among military personnel and veterans.
3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • Reducing health disparities among military personnel and veterans related to diet and lifestyle.
4. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Reforming food environments and military food systems to promote healthier, less processed food choices.
5. SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
   • Strengthening institutions like the Department of Defense (DOD) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to improve health outcomes.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • Target 2.2: By 2030, end all forms of malnutrition, including achieving targets on stunted growth and wasting in children, and address the nutritional needs of adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating women, and older persons.
2. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
   • Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection and access to quality essential health-care services.
   • Target 3.c: Substantially increase health financing and recruitment, development, training and retention of the health workforce in developing countries.
3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
4. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Target 12.3: By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains.
   • Target 12.8: By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature.
5. SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
   • Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Health and Nutrition Indicators
   • Percentage of youth eligible for military service (e.g., 77% ineligible due to health issues).
   • Prevalence rates of obesity among active-duty members (22% overall, 12% under 25 years).
   • Rates of chronic diseases such as prediabetes, hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease among military personnel and veterans.
   • Screening rates for prediabetes among Active Duty Service Members (6% screened despite 50% meeting criteria).
   • Healthcare costs related to obesity, high blood pressure, depression (e.g., $1.5 billion, $234 million, $5.7 billion respectively).
2. Food Environment and Lifestyle Indicators
   • Availability and consumption of processed vs. whole-food, plant-predominant diets in military food systems.
   • Implementation of lifestyle medicine programs and training in military and VA healthcare systems.
   • Changes in military food policies to promote healthier options.
3. Institutional and Systemic Indicators
   • Number and scale of lifestyle medicine pilot programs in military branches.
   • Integration of nutrition support and lifestyle interventions in VA care.
   • Training coverage of healthcare teams in evidence-based lifestyle interventions.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: bostonherald.com