The U.S. Department of Defense reports that nearly one-third of 17- to 24-year-olds in the United States are too overweight to serve in the military. In addition, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows an alarming increase in obesity rates among young adults across the country.

This 2010 report, Too Fat to Fight, focuses on three crucial issues to address childhood obesity: reducing the high-calorie, low-nutrition foods available at schools; increasing access to healthier school meals; and helping schools take advantage of “teachable moments” to encourage children and their parents to adopt healthier eating habits that can last a lifetime.

Since 1995, the proportion of recruits who failed their physical exams because they were overweight has risen by 70%. We need to reverse this trend–starting with improving the quality of food served in our schools.