US 331st Training Squadron practices drill, Basic Military Training, at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. 21072022 CREDIT US Department of Defense, US Army.jpg — US 331st Training Squadron practices drill, Basic Military Training, at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas (Picture: US Department of Defense, US Army).

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US Army to enforce new body fat 'tape test' to identify overweight soldiers

The United States Army has published a new directive that will change the way its soldiers' body fat is measured.

A new 'one-site tape test' will be used to assess body fat around the waist only.

Army leaders hope the new standards will provide a more accurate measurement of whether a soldier is overweight than the old tape test, which included the neck and waist, and hips for women.

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The previous test was said to provide inaccurate results and favoured overweight soldiers.

Watch: US Army hopes to solve recruitment crisis with 'fat camp'.

Anyone who fails the new test and is deemed overweight can opt to take the previous test, but only for the next 12 months.

According to the US Army, the directive, which is based on the results, findings and recommendations from the its recent Comprehensive Body Composition study, will yield a more consistent and accurate estimate of a soldier's body fat and fitness.

"For years, we have been committed to reducing body fat across the force," said Sergeant Major of the Army Michael A Grinston.

"It's one of the driving factors in supporting the Holistic Health and Fitness program, as well as one of the reasons to request a study on the Army Body Composition Program."

The US Army Center for Initial Military Training partnered with the US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine and consulted with other experts prior to making the latest policy changes.

"The Army is continuously refining programs through research and soldier feedback to improve readiness and lethality," said Sgt Maj Grinston.

bod pod body fat measurement credit us army_0.jpg — The Bod Pod® Body Composition Tracking System uses air displacement plethysmography (ADP) to determine the body's fatty mass to lean mass ratio (Picture: US Army).

Should a soldier fail both versions of the tape test, they are able to request a supplemental body fat assessment via The Bod Pod®, if available.

Earlier this year, Forces News visited the US Army 'fat camp', which is said to be helping to address its most severe recruiting crisis since the end of conscription 50 years ago.

This comes after the US Army said it is considering reinventing basic training for Gen Z, with less aggression, screaming and yelling.