About
The Body Composition Program offers additional opportunities for active duty and reserve members to demonstrate compliance with Coast Guard readiness standards including a new abdominal circumference, fitness test, and also better connects medical professionals to the health assessment. Recent studies show abdominal circumference is a more accurate measurement of overall health risk than the standard taping methods.
The program will help Coast Guard men and women meet the service's operational needs and challenges while also maintaining healthy weights and body fat percentages.
The abdominal circumference or the legacy body fat assessment (standard taping) are methods for compliance if a member exceeds Maximum Allowable Weight (MAW). If neither taping standard is met, a Physical Fitness Test (PFT) is another opportunity to achieve compliance if the member is determined to be medically fit. The goals of the policy are designed to ensure that all Coast Guard personnel are:
- Maintaining a healthy weight and body fat percentage.
- Capable of meeting the organization's operational needs and challenges.
- Present a sharp professional military appearance.
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