Belgian military takes aim at obesity

The Belgian military has launched a slimming campaign for its forces whose obesity rate has swollen to 14 percent.

Incentives to practise sport and an awareness campaign were among elements of the plan to trim an obesity rate above the overall national average of 12 percent.

“Fourteen percent of military personnel have a BMI (body mass index) equal or superior to 30,” Defence Minister Andre Flahaut said in a written reply to a parliamentary question.

“The obesity figure does not apply to soldiers involved in operational action,” Defence Ministry spokesman Nick Van Haver said. Belgian troops have been on peacekeeping duties in countries including Afghanistan.

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