The Desert Sun (Palm Springs, CA) — By Herbert R. Temple, Jr., Lieutenant General, US Army (Retired) – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson recently launched the Team California for Healthy Kids initiative to promote healthy eating and physical activity in schools.
As a retired military officer, I applaud this initiative not only for our children’s health, but also for our economy and national security. The rising cost of health insurance and medical care can best be controlled by good health.
I am very concerned about the high rate of obesity among children and young adults in our state. In California, more than 1.5 million young adults ages 18 to 24 are considered overweight or obese, based on data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
While there are other disqualifying factors such as poor academic achievement or having a criminal record, obesity is the leading medical reason why young Americans fail to qualify for military service and, nationwide, one in four young adults is too overweight to join the military.
Regular exercise, along with healthier eating habits, can help more young people control their weight and be eligible for military service.
