H.R. 1978 — To direct the Secretary of Defense to develop a strategy to treat obesity as a disease and reduce the prevalence of obesity in certain Armed Forces, and for other purposes.

This section directs the Secretary of Defense, not later than one year after enactment, to (1) develop a strategy aligning Department of Defense (DOD) obesity-related programs with the classification of obesity as a disease—including plans for coordination across DOD, assessments of existing health programs' effectiveness and nutrition education for military health providers, and ensuring appropriate treatment for obese service members in the covered Armed Forces (i.e., Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force)—and (2) conduct an educational campaign promoting awareness, diagnosis, and treatment of obesity as a disease among those service members and military health providers. The Secretary must consult with the Secretary of Health and Human Services (acting through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator) in developing both. This section further requires the Secretary, beginning one year after enactment, to include information on unmet weight standards in DOD reports to Congress on enlistment disqualifications, disabilities incurred in service, or medical discharges from the covered Armed Forces. This section also requires (1) a one-time DOD report, not later than one year after enactment and in consultation with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator, on obesity's effects on covered Armed Forces readiness, including legislative recommendations; and (2) annual reports, beginning one year after enactment from the Defense Health Agency Director, on the effectiveness of DOD obesity, food, and nutrition programs in reducing obesity and improving readiness. Finally, this section requires a Government Accountability Office report, not later than one year after enactment, analyzing DOD obesity, food, and nutrition programs—including assessments of service member and provider programs, their effectiveness, obesity's readiness impact, and coordination recommendations—with submissions to specified congressional committees.