Eighteen-year-olds Ida Mattsson and Fredrik Rennermalm, both eager to serve their country, exemplify the type of recruits the Swedish Armed Forces seeks. Fredrik, with his top score on the strength test and experience leading youth football teams, has been assigned to command a grenade launcher platoon. Ida, a dedicated athlete, will serve as a driver in a command vehicle, a role requiring technical proficiency. Both young recruits are physically fit and possess leadership qualities, attributes highly valued by the military. However, they represent a dwindling pool of qualified candidates as a concerning trend emerges among Swedish youth: declining physical fitness, particularly concerning cardiovascular health.
While the current generation exhibits similar strength levels as their predecessors, data from years of recruitment assessments reveal a gradual decline in overall fitness. This decline, though subtle now, is projected to worsen significantly by 2035, painting a near-apocalyptic scenario for Sweden’s defense capabilities. This deteriorating physical condition, largely attributed to poor dietary habits and a sedentary lifestyle, poses a significant threat to the nation’s total defense strategy, which relies heavily on the resilience and endurance of its citizens in times of prolonged conflict.
Experts like Helen Johnson, a consultant specializing in mathematical statistics for disease spread, warn about the alarming rise in unhealthy food consumption among Swedes. Her research, based on data from the Swedish Board of Agriculture and the Public Health Agency, reveals a steep increase in the intake of salt, fat, and sugary drinks across all regions of the country. This trend directly correlates with increasing rates of obesity and related health problems. Brig. Gen. Claes Ivgren, the Swedish Armed Forces’ Surgeon General, shares these concerns, emphasizing the link between poor diet and diminished resilience.
The implications of this declining health extend beyond the military’s ability to recruit fit soldiers. In a protracted war scenario, similar to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the overall resilience of the civilian population becomes paramount. A population struggling with obesity and related health issues would face immense challenges in performing essential tasks in a disrupted society, such as carrying water, chopping wood, traveling long distances for supplies, or enduring other physically demanding activities. This vulnerability makes the population more susceptible to psychological breakdown under duress, echoing the situation in Ukraine, where a significant portion of the population initially resistant to territorial concessions has gradually shifted towards accepting them over the course of the war.
The current situation in Ukraine serves as a stark reminder of the importance of a resilient population. Facing constant attacks on civilian infrastructure, Ukrainians are often forced to rely on physically demanding methods for survival, such as using wood-burning stoves for cooking and heating. The declining physical health of Swedes, mirroring a broader trend in the Western world, raises serious concerns about their ability to cope with similar hardships. Studies indicate that childhood obesity is more prevalent in Sweden than in Russia, despite a higher overall obesity rate in the latter. In Sweden, over 60% of adults aged 45-64 are overweight or obese, and the percentage rises among younger demographics as well.
This declining health trend is driven by increased consumption of processed foods, sugary drinks, and a decrease in daily physical activity. While individual exceptions exist, the overall pattern is unmistakable: higher consumption of unhealthy food leads to weight gain, increasing the risk of hypertension, heart attacks, diabetes, and certain types of cancer. The societal cost of treating these obesity-related diseases is staggering, nearly equivalent to Sweden’s entire defense budget. Estimates place the cost at 125 billion kronor in 2023, projected to increase by another 17 billion by 2030. This alarming trend represents a ”ticking time bomb,” as Helen Johnson aptly describes it, posing a significant threat to the long-term health and resilience of the Swedish population.
