To direct the Secretary of Defense to develop a strategy to treat obesity as a disease and reduce the prevalence of obesity in certain Armed Forces, and for other purposes.
To direct the Secretary of Defense to develop a strategy to treat obesity as a disease and reduce the prevalence of obesity in certain Armed Forces, and for other purposes.
Plain Language Summary
# HR 1978 Summary **What the Bill Would Do** HR 1978 would require the Department of Defense to develop a comprehensive strategy treating obesity as a medical disease rather than solely a disciplinary or fitness issue. The bill mandates that the DOD launch an educational campaign across all military branches (Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force) to promote awareness, diagnosis, and treatment of obesity. It also requires the DOD to track and report how many service members are disqualified from enlisting, discharged, or become disabled due to weight-related issues. **Who It Affects and Key Provisions** This bill primarily affects active duty military members, potential recruits, and military medical personnel.
Key requirements include submitting a congressional report on how obesity impacts military readiness and providing recommendations for new laws if needed, as well as having the Defense Health Agency evaluate whether current military nutrition and weight management programs are effectively reducing obesity. The underlying intent is to shift how the military addresses weight issues—focusing on health treatment rather than performance metrics alone. **Current Status** The bill is currently in committee and has not yet been voted on by the full House of Representatives. It was introduced by Representative Vern Buchanan (R-FL) in the 119th Congress.
CRS Official Summary
This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to develop a strategy to align its obesity-related programs with the classification of obesity as a medically accepted disease. Additionally, DOD must conduct an educational campaign to promote awareness, diagnosis, and treatment of obesity as a disease in the Armed Forces (the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force).The bill also requires DOD to include information regarding unmet weight standards in any reports it submits to Congress regarding disqualifications for enlistment in, disabilities incurred in, or medical discharges from the Armed Forces.DOD must submit a report to Congress on the effects of obesity on the readiness of the Armed Forces, including legislative recommendations to address such effects. The Defense Health Agency within DOD must report on the effectiveness of the obesity, food, and nutrition-related programs of DOD in reducing obesity and improving military readiness.The Government Accountability Office must submit to Congress an analysis of the existing obesity, food, and nutrition-related programs of DOD.
Latest Action
Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.