James Sanborn is the writer of “Weight Loss at Any Cost”. two This file offerswith the controversy about the weight and body composition limits, for Marines.
The file also sheds light on how some Marines are attaining these limits, hence the title “Weight Loss at Any Cost”.In 2008, adjustments have been made to the “Marine Corps’ body composition and navy look programs, or BCP and MAP” (Sanborn 1044). These modifications made it so that even if a Marine scored nicely on their “physical fitness test” (Sanborn 1044), it will not alternate their “body fats percentage” (Sanborn 1045). It is feasible that due to these modifications in the programs, the variety of Marines who turn to doubtlessly hazardous weight-loss methods, “including starvation, taking laxatives and undergoing expensive liposuction surgery” (Sanborn 1043) have multiplied (Sanborn 1044). two Regardless of the “tougher standards, thousands of Marines are still assigned to the BCP each year” (Sanborn 1046).When it comes to the modifications made to the BCP and MAP, it is very controversial.
While “the Corps’ top officer and others stand by means of the updates made to the BCP and MAP” (Sanborn 1044), there are additionally those who do not, including, “gunnies” (Sanborn 1046) and “sergeants” (Sanborn 1048). two One Marine, who helps the adjustments said, “‘We Marines have historically held ourselves to excessive requirements in both fitness and appearance,’… ‘There are some Marines who can also meet all established bodily standards, but fail to present a appropriate military appearance, and this is inconsistent with the Marine Corps management precept of putting the example'” (Sanborn 1044). While another, who does no longer support, said, “‘I’d a good deal alternatively have a man who has a little meat on his bones that can pick somebody up in a firefight, than anyone who is supermodel skinny and can’t select his pack off the ground,’… ‘It appears like the Marine Corps needs these super-skinny kids who can’t raise themselves over a wall'” (Sanborn 1047). Through these two statements, the difference between the two sides is without a doubt depicted. Regardless of the differences, each year Marines undergo the same exams to decide their BMI (Sanborn 1045). There are instances that the Marines are fine, however there are also instances when they are viewed overweight(Sanborn 1045). When this happens the Marine “has measurements taken around his neck and waist to estimate body fat percentage” (Sanborn 1045).
If the Marine does now not meet the requirements, then he is positioned in the BCP (Sanborn 1046). One Marine compares the issue between improving from a DUI and being positioned in the BCP. The Marine states “‘it is possibly simpler to recover from a DUI than from being put on BCP,’… ‘A DUI is bad, however it’s a one-time thing. You simply don’t do it again. Once you’re on BCP, you’re probably already on your way out'” (Sanborn 1047).
Marines, who are determined to lose a few pounds quickly, are turning to “liposuction…starvation and fasting, excessive cardio, and the use of plastic sweat suits, food regimen pills, diuretics and laxatives. Some forgo water. Some supply blood” (Sanborn 1048). There are many examples of what can show up to Marines when they use these doubtlessly unsafe weight-loss methods. For instance, “one poolee making an attempt to drop weight so he ought to be part of the Corps died from hyperthermia and dehydration in July 2009, while coaching with two recruiters” (Sanborn 1048). Another prevalence is when “Daniel Ruf, 22, collapsed at a neighborhood gymnasium while carrying a rubber suit.
He used to be making an attempt to drop 10 pounds the day before his weigh-in” (Sanborn 1048). These are only two examples of how unsafe these weight-loss techniques can be (Sanborn 1048).When it comes to the methods of deciding if a Marine is overweight, there are some who say these techniques are no longer accurate. “The creator of P90X emphasizes purposeful fitness, and believes regular fitness assessment strategies – such as those used by means of the Defense Department that are primarily based on height-to-weight ratios and taping round the neck and stomach – don’t accurately measure a person’s commonhealth” (Sanborn 1048). Similarly, a plastic health care provider has said, “‘Some human beings simply have a very unfavorable ratio of the stomach to their neck even if they are in shape,’… ‘If they did a specific measurement, they would come out fine'” (Sanborn 1049). Regardless of these statements, a Marine, who aid the modifications to the programs, has said, “‘It is vital to word that Marine Corps body composition and military look standards are neither unreasonable nor unattainable,’… ‘It is the duty of every chief in the chain of command to teach and mentor their subordinates, and maintain them in charge when they fail to meet standards'” (Sanborn 1049).
Even although a lot of emphasis is placed on having a “healthy body composition” (Schvey 282), a exact variety of Marines are struggling to reach the requirements set by using the Marine Corp (Schvey 282), even with the range of assets available to them (Slager). How these who are struggling are attempting to reach the requirements, set by way of the Marine Corps, possibly increase some subject among their superiors. The use of unsafe weight-loss methods must elevate situation because of the make bigger in “disordered eating rates” (Cole 589), the “affects on each overall performance and health” (Piche 906), the use of coping abilities because of “weight stigma” (Schvey 287), etc. These factors of concern are just a partial depiction of the large vary of viable concerns, involving the use of doubtlessly dangerous weight-loss methods. A study about the weight stigma, in the military, acknowledges the want for a “fit force” (Schvey 287). It additionally states, “the modern navy health standards are not besides basis, and efforts to promote weight loss and health within the U.S.
army may be justified” (Schvey 287). Through the study, it used to be mentioned that nearly half of of the contributors said they had already experienced humiliation due to the fact of their “shape and/or weight” (Schvey 284). Furthermore, out those who participated “nearly one 0.33 stated the use of unhealthy weight-control behaviors to cope with weight stigma” (Schvey 287). If so many of the Marines are turning to risky weight-loss strategies due to the fact of being humiliated, need to it no longer increase some concern? Would it no longer be practical to expect something to be executed to help stop this from happening?
