The United States Navy is increasingly concerned about the negative impact the teen obesity epidemic is having on our nation’s youth. The latest findings released from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey – the nation’s most extensive health and nutrition survey – showed that the percentage of teens that are overweight continues to increase. Among teens ages 12-19, 17.4% are overweight, or more than triple what the proportion was in 1980.

“There is no question that if we do not get our teens moving, the outlook for their long-term health is unpromising,” said Captain T. A. Buterbaugh, Marketing and Advertising Director for Commander, Navy Recruiting Command. The number one reason walk-ins to Navy Recruiting Stations are not able to join the U.S. Navy is that they fail to satisfy the minimum requirements on the height-weight ratio.

In response to the teen obesity epidemic, the U.S. Navy has commissioned iHigh, one of the country’s leading high school event and marketing companies, to manage the 2007 Navy Fitness Challenge to provide high school students with the opportunity to evaluate their current level of fitness. The 2007 Navy Fitness Challenge is a call to action from the U.S. Navy to combat the teen obesity epidemic.

“A healthy United States Navy requires a healthy and active population from which to recruit; therefore, it is critical that we encourage an active and healthy lifestyle among all teens,” said Captain Buterbaugh.

The 2007 Navy Fitness Challenge will activate 78 events in 26 strategic markets during the 2007 calendar year and the tour’s physical fitness test will be imbedded in the PE classes in select high schools for one day.

The Fitness Tour will be making stops all over the country, check the tour schedule to find out if it is coming to your town.

When you see this bad boy cruising around it means the Navy Fitness Challenge is in your area. View the tour schedule for dates and locations. More detailed shots of the Tour Truck can be viewed here.

If the Fitness Challenge Tour has already passed through, check out our photo galleries for pictures of your school! THe following galleries are now available online: Truck Pictures, Hialeah HS, Braddock & Varela HS, Rockledge HS, Cocoa Beach HS, Space, Coast HS, Decatur HS, Jonesboro HS, Union Grove HS, Smyrna HS, Springfield HS, Hunters Lane HS, Eureka HS, Pacific HS, South HS, Flower Mound HS, Madill HS





Whether you’re tired of your current job or ready to nab a career worth bragging about, the Navy has a vast array of fields and specialties to tantalize your most demanding, intellectually stimulating, and thrill-seeking needs.

It doesn’t matter if you’re college-bound, prefer to take college courses at your own pace, or are still in high school, the Navy can create and customize a career path for you.

Honor, Courage and Commitment. These are the Core Values of the Navy, and as a Sailor they will be your core values too. By embodying these qualities, you will build character and confidence, develop strong team skills, and learn to accept responsibility and accountability for personal actions.