Safe Call Now

Sunday, July 19, 2015

First Responders: Fat or Fit... Is Not a Choice!!!

By Sgt. Mark St. Hilaire


Recently, a citizen’s police academy for pre-teenage kids was hosted by a law enforcement agency close by.  Part of the session was a physical exercise program to start the day led by a police officer.  Another officer made an observation that more than half the kids participating could not do basic calisthenics, one or two proper push-ups or keep up with the group in a jog.  The same officer noted that his child (who was in this program) is very athletic and enjoys athletic activities especially running. He told me that in school, his child is penalized in gym class for being athletically fit. 

I must have displayed a "WHAT?" look on my face as he explained to me further that in the middle school, they place heart monitors on the students to gauge their activity in class.  His child is so fit, she is looked down upon by the teachers who may be under the impression that she is not doing anything when in fact the child has great fitness stamina and heart rate. 

In case you missed this story released recently by the group, Mission: Readiness (Military Leaders for Kids) nearly 1 in 3 young adults are too fat for the military according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 1/3 of American kids are considered obese or overweight.
What is this statistical news telling us of our future first responder applicants?

Did you know that 34.9% (78.6 million) Americans over age 20 are obese? The Journal of American Medical (JAMA) indicates that obese is defined as 30% BMI (fat on the body).
We have seen reports of our active and reserve military personnel dealing with the weight issues and the problems such as stress compound injuries to their bodies in the combat zones.  Many are being dismissed due to their inability to maintain fitness during their tours of duty.



Scared yet.... Are you aware that the American Journal of Preventative Medicine reported last year that 40% of U.S. Police Officers, Firefighters and Security Officers are considered obese and are considered to be the fattest professions in the U.S. (along with clergy, engineers and truckers)? This was reported in the Wall Street Journal and Time among other media sources.

The real questions I submit to you as a first responder:

  • Are you ready to go 100% when it's time to respond, take action on (and off) duty?
  • Are you capable of removing others including yourself out of harm's way when situations go bad?
  • Do you take pride in your appearance? 
  • Are you being treated with respect for your position of authority?
  • Have you considered the impact of your health on your loved ones and their futures?
We can take the easy- passive way out of the issue by condoning this problem with a reasoning that it's the way of society, hey-everyone faces this issue, I'm able to order larger uniforms or have you psychologically resigned by believing, I DON'T CARE.
We signed on to our profession of wearing a badge whether our shirt is blue, red, khaki or white to be prepared to help people, PHYSICALLY and EMOTIONALLY.  That means STRONG BODIES and HEALTHY MINDS.

As an overweight and out of control police officer in my earlier years who continues to make the necessary changes, I am pleading with you to consider this:

  • You deserve a better quality and standard in life.
  • Your co-workers, your community that you serve and especially your family deserve a better you, they are all depending on you.
There is no magic solution and everyone has a different way of reducing but we as professional first responders need to take immediate action.  First responders are suffering the serious effects of poor health but more importantly, we swore an oath to defend and help our communities.  

As you consider this call to action, please reflect within yourself to the real potential you possess inside yourself to change your own course of action and destiny. Be the change needed, be the example for other people in our society, especially our younger generations to follow back into lean, fit (and fighting) machines. 

Sgt. Mark St.Hilaire is a 30 year veteran police officer in a busy Metro-west suburb of Boston, Mass.  He is a volunteer police peer on a regional CISM team.  He is a passionate trainer and writer on public safety health and wellness. He can be contacted confidentially by email at: mark@rescueteamwellness.com. Follow him on Twitter @NPD3306 or Linked-In.


No comments:

Post a Comment