Diet pills, laxatives and liposuction extreme ways for soldiers to stay in

Soldiers use extreme methods to meet regs
Diet pills, laxatives, liposuction: Everyone is trying to meet the Army’s weight, tape standards
By Lance M. Bacon - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday Dec 8, 2010 14:04:30 EST
Soldiers are dangerously starving themselves, gobbling diet pills and laxatives — even going under the knife in costly liposuction surgery — all to meet the Army’s weight standards and avoid losing their careers.

“Liposuction saved my career — laxatives and starvation before an [Army Physical Fitness Test] sustains my career,” a soldier told Army Times in an e-mail. “I for one can attest that soldiers are using liposuction, laxatives and starvation to meet height and weight standards. I did, do and still do,” wrote the soldier, a medium helicopter repairer.

“Six years ago, I spent $4,500 on liposuction while on [permanent change of station] leave. As a crewmember, our mission is to keep those aircraft in the air, and time for PT is not available,” he wrote. “I was blessed with a very slow metabolism and an insatiable appetite.”

His attitude is not uncommon. Health experts say the number of soldiers using extreme weight-loss methods may closely resemble results of a recent study by two officers attending the Naval Post Graduate School. The study found that nearly one in three Marines have gone to such measures to lose weight. The Army doesn’t keep data on the likely numbers of soldiers taking these risks, but dozens of soldiers responded to a question from Army Times, many saying they use starvation, dehydration, pills or laxatives, and some have used — or are considering using — liposuction.

‘DISGUSTING AND DANGEROUS’
With 35 percent of male soldiers failing the weight standards, and 6 percent of men and women exceeding body fat standards, according to the 2009 report, how many of them will turn to extreme solutions is hard to say, as empirical data on this practice does not exist — a fact bemoaned by the medical experts with whom Army Times spoke.

“I don’t think we have a clear understanding how widespread this problem is,” said Col. George Dilly, Medical Command’s chief dietician and a consultant to the Army surgeon general. “Soldiers are hiding the fact they are doing this because they don’t want the problem exposed.”

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http://www.armytimes.com/news/2010/12/army-extreme-weight-loss-120510w/