Parliamentary commissioner: German soldiers too fat, smoke too much

[CactusCarlos]

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/189847,parliamentary-commissioner-german-soldiers-too-fat-smoke-too-much.html

Berlin - German soldiers are overweight, smoke too much and do not engage in enough sports, according to a report published Tuesday by the parliamentary commissioner for the defence force. "Male and female soldiers are too fat, partake little in sports and pay too little attention to what they eat," Reinhold Robbe said in his official report to parliament. He called the situation "shocking."

In the 18-29 age-group, military personnel are in worse condition than their civilian counterparts, with 40 per cent of soldiers overweight against 35 per cent in the general population, according to Robbe.

Despite the widespread availability of sports equipment in the army, more than 20 per cent don't engage in any sports at all.

Robbe also noted that an alarming 70 per cent of military personnel were smokers.