PERSONNEL at the Fiji Military Forces Sukanaivalu barracks in Labasa were part of a screening test carried out by the military's Regiment Medical Department.
The soldiers were screened for their body mass index (BMI), sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and other infections.
Doctor Losana Natuva said the military encouraged healthy living in its intentions to have a healthy and vibrant armed force.
"We have had cardiac cases in the past among our officers and we have either treated them or referred them to specialists and even overseas when the need arises but with the healthy lifestyle that is being introduced within the force there have been fewer cases that we treat," she said.
"Standard BMIs for personnel in Fiji is 30 and if soldiers fall below 30, they are considered overweight but if they exceed 30 then they are obese and these are platforms from which we keep a track of personal wellbeing by giving them necessary prescriptions to improve their lifestyle."
Dr Natuva said the BMI was the weight to height ratio of any individual and is calculated by dividing individual weight (in kilograms) by the square of individual height (in metres). "In the past we used to have about 80 per cent of soldiers as overweight but currently it has decreased to 50 per cent - the healthy lifestyle strategies we are implementing are finally working," she said.
"We are encouraging soldiers to attend physical exercise twice a week apart from the sports day every Wednesday and a well-balanced meal is a must in all mess halls around the country."