Together, we can reduce obesity within AFMC Published April 17, 2008 By Bruce Carlson, Gen, USAF AFMC/CC APRIL 2008 -- I am sure most of you have already heard about recent emphasis being placed on reducing the obesity rate within the Command. However, I want you to hear this from me. Over 12% of our Air Force Materiel Command military members meet the clinical definition of obese. This is an issue we, as an Air Force family, must address. Here's how I see it. Obesity impacts our service in three key areas -- being fit to fight, the health of our Airmen, and the professional image we portray to others. First, we are an expeditionary fighting force. Given the ops tempo and deployment cycles of our Airmen, we must be ready and fit to fight when called upon. Second, Body Mass Index (BMI) is an indicator of overall health and identifies those with elevated health risk for diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and other health problems. We cannot ignore our responsibility in taking care of our Airmen--they are our most valued resource. Third, we must continue to uphold the highest standards of professional appearance in uniform. For many of our fellow citizens, their first and only impressions of our Air Force are driven by the professional image set by our Airmen in uniform. I recently discussed this issue with the AFMC Center Commanders and established a goal to reduce obesity rates by 10% in the first six months of 2008, with an additional 10% reduction over the following six months. To ensure local flexibility, we have not mandated a Command-wide program, but have pushed that responsibility down to the installation level. Additionally, I expressed my concern regarding the positive roll-out of this initiative. The base-level programs must provide adequate support for our Airmen and ensure we are evaluating progress in meeting specific criteria. We cannot take a "fix it now or else" approach--I fully realize that improvement will take time, but I am confident we can achieve our overall reduction goals. I realize BMI isn't a perfect measure but I ask for your support as each base works out the details of implementing a program to help us be a more fit to fight, healthier and more professional appearing force . Together, we can reduce obesity within AFMC and across the Air Force while, at the same time, enhance the lives of our fellow Airmen. It's simply the right thing to do. Your fellow wingman, Bruce Carlson, Gen, USAF Commander ________________________________________