Johannesburg - Nearly 10 percent of the SA Defence Force's 60 000 soldiers are overweight or obese, according to the findings of a provisional report that is being circulated among all army personnel, Beeld reported on Thursday.
Percentages in the report are based on information gathered by the SA Military Health Service (SAMHS) between April 2011 and March 2012.
The soldiers are being cautioned that they face potentially life-threatening lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and cardio-vascular issues if they don't slim down.
In addition, “the army can simply not be battle-ready with overweight soldiers. Everyone has to know that the fight against obesity is now official”, the report states.
The soldiers are being encouraged to visit dieticians and establish a healthy eating plan and lifestyle.
All members of the SAMHS have to be weighed before Friday, and the statistics will be used in future projects aimed at encouraging army personnel to become more streamlined.
The SAMHS report uses the World Health Organisation's definition of body mass index (BMI). - Sapa