More than 32,000 British troops failed a key basic fitness test within the last three years, according to new figures that raise fears of an Army obesity crisis.
All soldiers are expected to undergo the personal fitness assessment, which involves press-ups, sit-ups and a run against the clock, twice a year.
But 29,600 male and 2,819 female troops have failed the test at some point in the three years to March 2014, according to figures first disclosed by The Sunday Times.
Soldiers suggested that poor diets were partly to blame, as separate figures showed that more than 22,000 troops were deemed to be overweight and at risk of health problems.
The figures reportedly make some allowance for the fact that soldiers who are heavily muscled may show up as technically overweight under commonly-used body mass index measures, even though they are fit.
One soldier claimed many of his peers had an “appalling” diet involving cooked breakfasts every day and chips with lunch and dinner.
A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence confirmed the figures. He said: “This figure represents 11 per cent of the Army serving in that period and many of those who failed will have subsequently passed their fitness test.
“All personnel are provided with the support and training necessary to meet the Army’s physical standards, with additional help for those personnel who fail to meet this criteria. Personnel who remain unable to meet the standard could ultimately be discharged.”
The latest figures follow the disclosure earlier this month that increasing numbers of soldiers are being discharged from the Army for being overweight.
There were at least 50 cases between January 2002 and March 2013 where soldiers were released for being obese. In 2011 alone, 13 soldiers were discharged in cases where obesity contributed to their ill-health.
32,000 British soldiers fail fitness exams amid fears of Army weight problems crisis
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