Britain's armed forces are facing an unprecedented battle against obesity, with shock new figures revealing hundreds of military personnel have undergone drastic weight loss surgery on the NHS. The statistics, obtained through Freedom of Information requests, paint a worrying picture of the physical condition of those tasked with defending the nation.
Tripling Obesity Rates Among Troops
The scale of the problem has escalated dramatically in recent years, with the number of obese service personnel more than tripling since 2015. Ministry of Defence data shows obesity rates jumped from just 1.8% to a concerning 3.8% among regular soldiers, while the figure reached 5.1% among reservists.
Hundreds Undergo Surgical Intervention
Between 2019 and 2023, at least 250 military staff received weight loss procedures including gastric bands, gastric sleeves, and gastric bypass operations. The true number is likely significantly higher, as not all NHS trusts provided complete data.
Regional Breakdown Reveals Widespread Issue
The problem spans the entire United Kingdom, with procedures recorded at military hospitals and NHS facilities across England, Scotland, and Wales. Some of the most notable figures include:
- University Hospitals Plymouth: 48 procedures
- Portsmouth Hospitals University: 36 procedures
- University Hospital Southampton: 22 procedures
- Cambridge University Hospitals: 17 procedures
Impact on Military Effectiveness
Defence experts have expressed serious concerns about how rising obesity levels could compromise the operational effectiveness of Britain's military. Former Army Colonel Richard Kemp warned that overweight soldiers may struggle with essential combat requirements like carrying heavy equipment, navigating difficult terrain, and responding quickly in high-pressure situations.
"The fact that so many service personnel are so overweight they require surgical intervention is extremely worrying," Colonel Kemp stated. "This inevitably affects their ability to meet the physical demands of soldiering and potentially puts themselves and their colleagues at risk."
NHS Bearing the Cost
The weight loss procedures, costing taxpayers thousands of pounds each, come at a time when the NHS is under significant financial pressure. While the military has its own medical services, complex surgeries like gastric procedures are typically referred to NHS specialists.
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson acknowledged the issue, stating: "We are committed to the health and wellbeing of our personnel and have initiatives to encourage healthy lifestyles, including tailored nutritional advice and fitness programmes."
The revelation raises important questions about recruitment standards, physical training programmes, and overall military preparedness as Britain faces increasing global security challenges.
