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Belgian soldiers getting too fat, new data shows

16:00 27/02/2017

Belgium's 30,000 soldiers are getting more and more overweight, the latest figures from federal defence minister Steven Vandeput reveal.

The average body mass index for soldiers over the age of 30 is 25.56. The World Health Organisations says a BMI over 25 is overweight.

It appears to get worse with age, with average BMI exceeding 27 for soldiers over 50 years old.

La Capitale newspaper reports that Belgian defence chiefs and unions are well aware of the problem.

Unions point to an increased workload following last year's terror attacks as a reason why soldiers no longer have time for sport.

Written by Hannah Haynes

Comments

Tommy

and it is not only the soldiers.......

Feb 28, 2017 18:28
winterap

The soldiers I see patrolling the streets and metro are fit and very professional. Glad to see them out there.

Feb 28, 2017 21:40