Posted on Apr 1, 2022
Marine Corps body composition standards may be leading to eating disorders
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The Marine Corps’ Body Composition and Military Appearance Program may be leading to a force that is fit but unhealthy, a Rand study has found ― leaving Marines with behaviors typically associated with eating disorders.
The body composition program does not allow for Marines to grow and maintain the increased muscle mass required to meet the standards of their jobs or the increasingly demanding physical fitness assessments, according to the study’s findings, published March 25. And an emphasis on physical appearance as a leadership trait may be a top factor in higher rates of eating disorders.
The body composition program does not allow for Marines to grow and maintain the increased muscle mass required to meet the standards of their jobs or the increasingly demanding physical fitness assessments, according to the study’s findings, published March 25. And an emphasis on physical appearance as a leadership trait may be a top factor in higher rates of eating disorders.
Marine Corps body composition standards may be leading to eating disorders
Posted from marinecorpstimes.comPosted in these groups: 
Marines
Marines
Posted >1 y ago
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I feel like every branches body composition program contributes to eating disorders...
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LTC John Mohor
There’s really no other job that puts so much emphasis on weight/ body fat. If you can pass the Physical fitness test and do the job that’s what’s needed.
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SFC Kelly Fuerhoff
LTC John Mohor - No. I know from experience the Army's body composition program causes eating disorders. I am pretty sure I've developed one since I gave birth since it's hard as hell to keep weight off in certain areas. I refuse to get taped so every six months I go to extreme measures to ensure I am under my max weight so I don't get taped because it's archaic and in no way measures health or fitness. That's because it's based on BMI.
Also for the past 18 years, I know many others who have gone to extreme measures to make weight or tape. In fact, that's why they changed the reg to allow 7 days before or after the PT test because people go to such lengths they were passing out during PT tests. That's why they are "reviewing" ABCP yet again.
The APFT never measured anyone's fitness. Nor has ABCP. And I'd bet it goes the same for the other branches especially with this article.
I saw a post once of a female who was pure muscle - and she failed weight and tape because she has big hips. And she's pure muscle. No fat on any of her photos - and she was always in the gym. But that's what screws us females - if you have wide hips and/or big ass you will fail tape.
I know males who have gone to great lengths to pass and no, they aren't all "fat' either.
All the military wants is people who "look' thin but thin doesn't mean healthy. People are "skinny fat" or are thin and extremely unhealthy.
Two more years and I don't have to worry about it - and by the next weigh in I'll be in the next age group so I can have a little more buffer. But I can't wait til I no longer have to get on a scale every single day and check a number. I can't wait til I can weigh what I want and just FEEL healthy.
Also for the past 18 years, I know many others who have gone to extreme measures to make weight or tape. In fact, that's why they changed the reg to allow 7 days before or after the PT test because people go to such lengths they were passing out during PT tests. That's why they are "reviewing" ABCP yet again.
The APFT never measured anyone's fitness. Nor has ABCP. And I'd bet it goes the same for the other branches especially with this article.
I saw a post once of a female who was pure muscle - and she failed weight and tape because she has big hips. And she's pure muscle. No fat on any of her photos - and she was always in the gym. But that's what screws us females - if you have wide hips and/or big ass you will fail tape.
I know males who have gone to great lengths to pass and no, they aren't all "fat' either.
All the military wants is people who "look' thin but thin doesn't mean healthy. People are "skinny fat" or are thin and extremely unhealthy.
Two more years and I don't have to worry about it - and by the next weigh in I'll be in the next age group so I can have a little more buffer. But I can't wait til I no longer have to get on a scale every single day and check a number. I can't wait til I can weigh what I want and just FEEL healthy.
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