This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/04/spanish-army-la-legion-puts-soldiers-diet-obesity-fears

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Spanish army's elite La Legión regiment put on diet over obesity fears Spanish army's elite La Legión regiment put on diet over obesity fears
(35 minutes later)
The Spanish army has put soldiers in one of its most famous units on a diet amid fears some are becoming obese.The Spanish army has put soldiers in one of its most famous units on a diet amid fears some are becoming obese.
Members of the La Legión, an elite infantry regiment founded almost a century ago, are nicknamed the Bridegrooms of Death and known for their toughness, distinctive pastel uniforms and rapid marching pace. Members of La Legión, an elite infantry regiment founded almost a century ago, are nicknamed the Bridegrooms of Death and known for their toughness, distinctive pastel uniforms and rapid marching pace.
However, concerns have emerged over the legionnaires’ waistlines and fitness levels, prompting the army to act.However, concerns have emerged over the legionnaires’ waistlines and fitness levels, prompting the army to act.
“The Legion has ended up in a situation that requires a series of measures to reduce excess weight among its personnel,” according to an internal memo published this week by El País. “La Legión has ended up in a situation that requires a series of measures to reduce excess weight among its personnel,” according to an internal memo published this week by El País.
The document noted that factors including a lack of fitness facilities and a higher average age among legionnaires were contributing to the problem.The document noted that factors including a lack of fitness facilities and a higher average age among legionnaires were contributing to the problem.
More than 3,000 troops have undergone checks to determine their body mass index (BMI), of whom 180 (6%) were found to have a BMI of 30 or above, making them obese. They received medical examinations as well as nutritional advice and exercise plans to help them lose between 500g and 1kg a week.More than 3,000 troops have undergone checks to determine their body mass index (BMI), of whom 180 (6%) were found to have a BMI of 30 or above, making them obese. They received medical examinations as well as nutritional advice and exercise plans to help them lose between 500g and 1kg a week.
Although the Legion admits that without the necessary action “we will be condemned to loss of prestige as a combat unit”, it recognises that being overweight “can be due to cultural, pathological or even psychological factors that need to be properly considered”. Although La Legión admits that without the necessary action “we will be condemned to loss of prestige as a combat unit”, it recognises that being overweight “can be due to cultural, pathological or even psychological factors that need to be properly considered”.
An army spokesman said the initiative, which began last September, was designed to improve legionnaires’ wellbeing.An army spokesman said the initiative, which began last September, was designed to improve legionnaires’ wellbeing.
“The reaction has been very positive and the initial results are good,” he said. “We’re seeing a lot of personal motivation in this even though losing kilos is difficult. We just wanted to give them a helping hand.”“The reaction has been very positive and the initial results are good,” he said. “We’re seeing a lot of personal motivation in this even though losing kilos is difficult. We just wanted to give them a helping hand.”
The Legion was modelled on the French Foreign Legion and was closely associated with its best known member, Francisco Franco, during the Spanish civil war and subsequent dictatorship. La Legión was modelled on the French Foreign Legion and was closely associated with its best known member, Francisco Franco, during the Spanish civil war and subsequent dictatorship.
Recognisable by their tasselled caps and open-necked shirts, the legionnaires found themselves attracting global attention last year after a Twitter user posted a picture of well-built soldiers and captioned it: “The Spanish Foreign Legion’s uniform doesn’t have a top button, which makes them the fruitiest killers in Europe.”Recognisable by their tasselled caps and open-necked shirts, the legionnaires found themselves attracting global attention last year after a Twitter user posted a picture of well-built soldiers and captioned it: “The Spanish Foreign Legion’s uniform doesn’t have a top button, which makes them the fruitiest killers in Europe.”