
ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) —
The Section of the Air Power is setting up new Physique Composition Program standards for Airmen and Guardians just after the abdominal circumference was eradicated from the Air Power-certain Bodily Health Evaluation in 2020.


Both equally the Air and Space Forces unveiled the new Waist-to-Peak Ratio BCP plan in January, with assessments to start off April 2023. The Entire body Composition Assessment is a individual and distinctive measurement that is not section of the DAF Physical Health Evaluation.


WHtR steps extra unwanted fat distribution in the abdominal region and is calculated by dividing waist circumference by height. Extra fat distribution in the belly region is linked with enhanced wellness possibility.


“The target of the new plan is to empower Airmen to just take demand of their health and fitness and conditioning via life-style improvement to improve readiness,” reported Lt. Gen. Caroline Miller, deputy chief of staff members for Manpower, Personnel and Solutions. “Regardless of which chance class they drop in, absolutely everyone is encouraged to get gain of the means readily available to strengthen or manage a nutritious system composition.”


Entire body composition serves as an indicator of a member’s in general health and fitness and physical readiness. Section of Protection Instruction 1308.03, DoD Physical Exercise/Entire body Composition Software, mandates the BCP as a requirement. Excessive fats in the belly region impairs the body’s responsiveness to insulin. As a consequence, it contributes to amplified health and fitness hazards these as cardiovascular disorders, stroke, diabetes, hypertension and musculoskeletal injuries, negatively impacting physical readiness.
The DAF BCP defines the waistline as the midpoint in between the lowest rib and the prime of the hip bone, which is usually the narrowest portion of the abdomen. WHtR is expressed in the subsequent danger classes and associated standards:


Airmen and Guardians will maintain a WHtR of < 0.55 to meet the BCP standards. Airmen will complete their assessments annually around their birth month, while Guardians will complete it within their birth quarter.
There are no mandatory actions for Airmen and Guardians meeting the BCP standards, however, members will have their WHtR reviewed during their annual medical Periodic Health Assessment. They will receive education or a referral based on their risk category and other health concerns if indicated.


Airmen and Guardians identified as not meeting the BCP standards will be enrolled into an informal, self-directed Body Composition Improvement Program for 12 months and referred to their medical treatment facility for a medical evaluation and assessment for additional risk factors.


Guardians will also be referred to Guardian Resilience Teams as they are established. GRTs will be comprised of human performance subject matter experts with different specialties who can provide a broad range of care for Guardians, including preventive care, performance optimization, skill-building, mental health care and spiritual assistance.


“Above all, our priority is to shift our Guardians’ mindset with regards to their health,” said Katharine Kelley, deputy chief of Space Operations for Human Capital. “We hope the new body composition program and associated holistic health educational resources will inspire our members to move away from an episodic fitness mentality to putting their health first every day.”


A collaborative and supportive approach will be used to assist Airmen and Guardians through providing tools, resources, and a tailored action plan to aid in making positive changes toward better health. Airmen and Guardians not meeting the BCP standard will reassess every 12 months at the next scheduled BCA or until they meet the BCP standard.


The initial results from WHtR are non-punitive during the 12-month informal self-directed BCIP. Failing to test on time, not scheduling or missing an appointment with the MTF team or becoming non-current may be cause for commander-driven administrative actions.


High risk results after the 12-month informal self-directed phase will be considered a failure to meet standards and will require enrollment in a formal self-directed BCIP that may result in consideration for administrative action, including separation for continued failures.


WHtR will be tracked via myBodyComp, a new application under the myFSS platform.


Additional information regarding implementation will be released at the installation level.



