The national statistics are alarming when it comes to the number of overweight or obese law enforcement officials on active duty, and their mortality rates are even more alarming.
According to data compiled by the FBI and other law enforcement groups, about 80 percent of sworn police officers, sheriff’s deputies, corrections officers and other law enforcement officials are overweight, and 33 percent are classified as obese. About 50 percent are expected to die from heart disease within five years of retirement, and they are 25 times more likely to die from weight-related cardiovascular disease than by the hands of a criminal.
Those statistics underscore the “Battle of the Badges” weight-loss challenge sponsored by the medical weight loss clinic Lindora, and on Thursday, 13 weight-challenged deputies from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department and 13 corrections officers from the California Rehabilitation Center in Norco commenced the 10-week weight loss competition with a weighing-in ceremony at the Norco prison.
“I welcome you to the Battle of the Badges,” California Rehabilitation Center Warden Cynthia Tampkins said at Thursday’s ceremony, where competing sheriff’s deputies and corrections officers stepped onto scales, put up their dukes and faced one another in a fighting stance as two Lindora representatives wearing white coats and holding clipboards jotted down their weight.
“We’re starting a new path to health, fitness and longevity,” said Tampkins before loudly chanting, “Let’s lose weight!”
The winning team will be announced at a ceremony at a yet-to-be-decided venue the first week of November. The public can monitor the progress of the contest at www.lindora.com.
What is the battle of the Battle of the Badges?
The inaugural Battle of the Badges was in 2009 between the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and Anaheim Police Department. Since then, the event has become one of the most competitive events Lindora sponsors and has bettered the lives of thousands of people by drastically reducing their blood pressure, cholesterol, and risk of diabetes, said Lindora President and CEO Cynthia Stamper Graff.
San Bernardino County Sheriff John McMahon said at Thursday’s event he has always struggled when it comes to diet and exercise, but he knows it is mandatory, especially in his line of work. He said he plans to lead by example for his deputies participating in the weight loss challenge.
“In our business, being healthy and fit is critical,” McMahon said. “You gotta watch what you eat, especially as you get older, and you have to exercise.”
How the Lindora program works
Lindora’s Battle of the Badges program is designed to help participants lose 10 percent of their body weight in 10 weeks through a strict and regimented diet plan and moderate exercise. Participants are required to check in at their local Lindora clinic daily to have their vital signs taken and receive counseling from clinic nurses.
The 26 contestants in this year’s event consist of seven woman and 19 men, average age 44, with weight loss goals of between 21 and 105 pounds, Stamper Graff said.
Veteran San Bernardino County sheriff’s Deputy Sherry Eversole said she used to be diligent when it came to diet and exercise, but the stresses in her life over the last several years became too much to bear. Six years ago, both her parents became ill and she had to see to their care.
In 2012, Eversole’s mother died at the age of 86, and Eversole fell into a deep depression. That’s when she said she began overeating and putting on the weight. Standing 5 foot 8 inches tall and weighing 179 pounds, Eversole’s goal is to lose 39 pounds in the next 10 weeks.
“This is the first step to get my life back, my self esteem — everything I lost,” said Eversole, 51, a deputy of 24 years assigned to the sheriff’s Yucaipa station. “This is my baby step.”