Weight stigma pervades every branch of the military, where the idealized image of a lean, muscular physique reigns supreme. This narrow standard not only marginalizes those who don't fit the mold but also exacts a heavy toll on their mental and physical well-being.

Studies have underscored the detrimental effects of weight stigma within military culture, including adverse psychosocial correlates such as depressive symptoms, internalized weight bias, and compensatory behavior like purging via self-induced vomiting, over-exercise, and laxative abuse. Other unhealthy methods to lose weight quickly include severely restrictive diets, diet pills, body wraps, saunas, and liposuction.

Weight-based stigma in the military has also been associated with maladaptive behaviors such as avoidance of physical activity and overeating in response to negative affect. Over-eating bingeing is also the body's physiological response to dieting, ultimately leading to weight gain.1

While having a military that is fit and prepared for the demands of service is a legitimate priority, the bias inherent in current fitness standards, and efforts to promote weight loss, are problematic. Service members are faced with negative occupational consequences—e.g., denial of career advancement opportunities, possible separation, frequent weighing, and taping—compelling them to use extreme measures such as crash dieting, diet pills, or even surgical interventions in a desperate attempt to avoid the weight stigma inherent in failing to measure up to fitness/weight/body composition requirements—and to keep their jobs. The cost these standards have on service........

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