Airmen and guardians will now have to meet a waste-to-height ratio (WHtR) standard in order to pass the Body Composition Assessment. The new plan replaces the tape-measure test, which measured abdominal circumference, that disappeared in 2020. The WHtR program took effect with the new year. Assessments will begin in April. The program is “separate and distinct” from the Department of the Air Force (DAF) Physical Fitness Assessment.
The WHtR measurement is calculated by dividing waist circumference by height, with the idea that more weight around the abdomen is a signal of increased health risk.
“The goal of the new program is to empower airmen to take charge of their health and fitness through lifestyle enhancement to optimize readiness,” said Lt. Gen. Caroline Miller, deputy chief of staff for Manpower, Personnel and Services. “Regardless of which risk category they fall in, everyone is encouraged to take advantage of the resources available to improve or maintain a healthy body composition.”
Airmen and guardians who do not meet body composition standards will first be required to take part in a non-punitive, 12-month improvement program. They then would be reassessed every 12 months or during their next body composition assessment, until they reach service standards.
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