Poor nutrition threatens operational effectiveness. A service member’s performance and resilience hinge not only on strategy and technology, but also on the quality of his or her diet. To ensure the well-being of service members, the military services must enhance access to professional nutritionists, provide healthier food options, understand the correlation between nutrition and mental health, and implement policy reforms targeting food production and military family welfare. Investing in nutrition and lifestyle is essential for maintaining the world’s premier fighting force and supporting military families.
Lack of Nutritionists and Inadequate Dietary Care
According to recent studies, 68 percent of active-duty service members are considered overweight or obese. Obesity has become a leading cause of medical disqualification, in-service injuries, and medical discharges. Obesity rates have more than doubled over the past decade, from 10.4 percent in 2012 to 21.6 percent in 2022.
The U.S. military lacks sufficient nutritionists to help service members maintain optimal health. Nutritionists generally are available to only a small number of service members, such as Special Operational Forces. For the rest of the force, nutrition too often is addressed in click-through classes or PowerPoints that fail to capture the attention of their audience. Military members need diets tailored to their bodies and based on their environment and lifestyles. Proper nutrition fuels physical activities by maintaining energy, building muscle, and reducing recovery time from strenuous exercise.
Maintaining physical performance is not only desirable, but also essential to the mission. A more comprehensive approach to nutrition for service members should track their daily habits, stressors, and physical demands. The use of technology, such as health monitoring devices, would aid in understanding the health issues that can decrease performance. But medical professionals are needed to implement healthcare solutions to address inadequate nutrition, decreased muscle mass, and reduced endurance, all of which can directly affect the readiness and performance of service members.
Mental Health and Dietary Connections
The link between nutrition and mental health is significant. Research shows that obesity is often linked to an increased likelihood of conditions such as depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. However, many service members suffering from obesity will not seek help, because of the perceived stigma and fear of career repercussions.
Service members struggling with weight often face greater psychological stress, but mental health challenges have many causes. In 2022, the suicide rate among service members was 25.1 in 100,000 according to the Department of Defense. Nutrition not only affects the body—it also regulates brain functions. Research suggests some foods bolster mental health, including foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, vitamin D, and magnesium, among many other micronutrients.
A well-balanced diet rich in nutrients can positively affect brain function, mood regulation, and overall wellbeing. Poor dietary habits, on the other hand, can contribute to anxiety, depression, and fatigue—all things that affect a service member’s performance. Practices to address mental health in the military must include a focus on improving dietary choices.
In-person support is critical. Making more nutrition professionals available on military bases is one way to improve the physical and mental health of service members. Personalized nutritional counseling ensures everyone’s unique dietary needs are met, reducing the nutritional deficiencies that exhaust mental health. The Special Operations Nutrition Guide mentions the role of nutritionists in providing dietary guidance and optimizing performance. These experts can tailor a nutrition plan to individual service members that considers physical activity levels, body composition, and dietary preferences. This optimizes overall performance, recovery, and mental health for everyone.
Nutritionists are trained in the technology needed to incorporate real-time dietary tracking. Considering one’s training regimen, operational tempo, and personal health goals is crucial for adherence to a dietary plan and its long-term success.
Healthier Dietary Options
One study on the link between nutrition and military capabilities finds service members benefit the most from plant-based foods—fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, and seeds. These foods are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, all of which support muscle repair and immune function and lessen fatigue. Military cafeterias, however, often offer highly processed, calorie-dense foods that are not ideal for physical performance or long-term health and can contain possibly hazardous additives.
Service members certainly need more resources and education on nutrition, as well as professionals to lend their support to that effort. But education alone is not enough. Military bases must take steps to eliminate fast food and replace it with more nutritional options. Bases should contract with vendors that provide meals built around balanced portions and designed to provide optimal nutrition for physical performance.
There are examples of the military services taking steps to emphasize proper nutrition. The Army’s Performance Triad integrates nutrition, sleep, and exercise into everyday routines. Similarly, the Marine Corps’ Fueled to Fight program encourages a better diet for improved performance and wellbeing. The services should also look outward, advocating for reforms in food production. The quality of food served to service members begins with agriculture, and the military should prioritize food grown and produced to higher nutritional standards.
Food Insecurity among Military Families
Food insecurity is defined as the lack of consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life. About one in four active-duty military families experience food insecurity, compared with 13.5 percent of total U.S. households. This affects the welfare of military families and the readiness of U.S. troops.
Food insecurity is often part of the broader issue of financial instability, which can profoundly affect the mental health of service members. Many think that because someone is in the service they must be financially secure, but reality is more complicated. For young enlisted service members with lower basic pay, the cost of living often leaves little room to purchase high-quality foods. The Department of Defense’s basic allowance for housing does not always cover all expenses.
Furthermore, military life often has hidden costs. For example, the requirement to move every two to three years affects finances, and it often leads to a lack of job security for spouses. When paired with the requirement to pay two months’ rent along with a security deposit, the financial strain is substantial. All these factors take away from a service member’s ability to focus on his or her duties. There are many programs to assist service members experiencing these issues, but they are, unfortunately, not well known, especially among junior enlisted members.
The health and readiness of military personnel does not depend only on physical training and operational support. Nutrition, attention to mental health, and overall wellbeing are fundamental. An alarming number of service members suffer from food insecurity, and the armed forces employ too few nutritionists. The services need to provide healthier food options, increase access to nutrition professionals, and advocate for food-production reform. Proper nutrition fuels physical performance and supports emotional wellbeing. Investing in the health of U.S. service members ensures the success of each individual and leads to success on the battlefield.
