To direct the Secretary of Defense to conduct a study relating to obesity in the Armed Forces, and for other purposes.

# HR 1977 Summary: Military Obesity Study **What the Bill Would Do** HR 1977 would require the Department of Defense to study obesity in the military and report its findings to Congress. Specifically, the Defense Health Agency would need to investigate how obesity contributes to injuries and medical discharges among active-duty service members, calculate the annual costs of obesity-related health issues, and examine whether the military's food procurement practices could be improved to offer healthier options. The bill also asks DOD to assess how obesity might affect national security readiness. **Who It Affects and Key Provisions** This bill primarily affects active-duty military members and their families by potentially leading to changes in military food services and health policies.

The legislation aims to increase transparency through regular reporting to Congress and would direct DOD to study whether better access to nutritious food—for both service members and their families—could reduce obesity-related health problems. The bill treats obesity as both a health and readiness issue for the armed forces. **Current Status** HR 1977 was introduced by Representative Vern Buchanan (R-FL) in the 119th Congress and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been voted on by the full House or Senate.