Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 6, 2025
Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
Child Health As A National Security Issue: Obesity And Behavioral Health Conditions Among Military Children
Tracey Pérez Koehlmoos1, Amanda Banaag2, Cathaleen King Madsen3
1Tracey Pérez Koehlmoos (tracey.koehlmoos@usuhs.edu) is a professor of preventive medicine and biostatistics and director of the Health Services Research Program at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS), in Bethesda, Maryland.
Insights
Childhood obesity and behavioral health issues pose significant risks to US national security by impacting military recruitment readiness. Addressing these health concerns in young dependents is crucial for maintaining a fit future fighting force.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Military Medicine
- Adolescent Health
Background:
- The US military requires annual recruitment of 150,000 personnel, necessitating stringent medical standards.
- The health of children, particularly military dependents, is critical for future military recruitment and national security.
- Military dependents show a higher propensity to serve compared to the general child population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the prevalence of overweight/obesity and behavioral health diagnoses among adolescents (13-18 years) within the Military Health System.
- To assess the impact of these health indicators on future military recruitment capabilities.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of TRICARE claims data for adolescents aged 13-18.
- Inclusion of fiscal years 2017-2018 data.
- Examination of body mass index (BMI) and behavioral health diagnoses, including conduct disorders.
Main Results:
- Overweight and obesity combined prevalence exceeded 30% across all census divisions.
- Prevalence of behavioral health disorders ranged from 18.53% to 22.90%.
- Conduct disorders, a disqualifier for enlistment, were found to be low overall.
Conclusions:
- High rates of overweight/obesity and behavioral health disorders among military-dependent adolescents present significant barriers to meeting military recruitment goals.
- These health issues mirror those in the civilian sector, highlighting a widespread concern.
- Interventions focusing on nutrition, fitness, and behavioral health in school-aged children are recommended to ensure future military readiness and national security.
Abstract:
To build and maintain an effective, agile force that is ready at a moment's notice to deploy for national security missions, the US military must recruit approximately 150,000 new personnel annually while adhering to stringent medical standards. Given a target recruitment population of young adults ages 18-24, the health of the nation's children is critical to US national security. Maintaining a fit population of military dependents is particularly important because this group has a greater propensity to serve than does the broader population of US children. Using TRICARE claims, we examined body mass index and behavioral health diagnoses among adolescents ages 13-18 covered by the Military Health System for fiscal years 2017-18. Prevalence of conduct disorders, which prevent enlistment, was low overall. However, overweight and obesity combined prevalence estimates were more than 30 percent in every census division, and the prevalence of behavioral health disorders ranged from 18.53 percent to 22.90 percent. These prevalence rates are similar to those found in the civilian sector but are high enough to pose barriers to the military's efforts to meet recruitment goals. Interventions to improve nutrition, fitness, and behavioral health among school-age children may improve fitness to serve and guarantee the future readiness of the armed forces and the security of the nation.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Obesity
01:26Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques IV
01:17Healthcare Agencies II
Parish nursing is a growing specialty nursing profession that focuses on holistic healthcare, health promotion, and illness prevention. It blends professional nursing practice with a health ministry, focusing on health and healing within the context of a Christian community. Parish nurses serve as health educators, referral sources,...
01:30Preventive Healthcare Services
01:30Specialized Care Centers and Settings-II
Rural health centers are specialized care facilities in remote locations with very few medical personnel. The primary care providers who run the centers are mostly Registered Nurse Practitioners. Here, emergency treatment is provided to critically ill or injured patients before they are transferred to the closest hospital. Fortunately, due to advancement in technology, many rural healthcare facilities and professionals have easy access to diagnostic and treatment...
01:23Binge Eating Disorders