Update: Diagnoses of overweight and obesity, active component, U.S. Armed Forces, 2011-2015

Excessive weight and body fat among currently serving active component members have a detrimental effect on operational effectiveness and increase the risk of both acute and chronic health effects related to overweight and obesity. During 2011-2015, the number and prevalence of active component members who received at least one clinical overweight diagnosis increased steadily (2011: n=71,168; 4.5%; 2015: n=113,958; 7.8%). Annual prevalences of clinical overweight increased most rapidly between 2011 and 2013, then remained relatively stable for the remainder of the surveillance period. Continued emphasis on improving "nutritional fitness" as well as physical fitness should continue as a priority of military medical and line leaders at every level.