IN ONE PREFECTURE-LEVEL CITY nearly 57 percent of those applying to join the armed forces have failed their health test so far this year. Beijing Youth Daily commented on Monday:

That so many potential recruits failed the fitness test reveals the worrying fact that unhealthy lifestyles have taken a toll on many Chinese youngsters.

Among the physical defects and diseases that shut the army's door to these applicants, only body odor and flat feet are hereditary, meaning most of those who failed the physical exam have only themselves to blame. The results show that 20 percent failed because they were overweight, 46 percent were shortsighted or had other eyesight problems and 8 percent had varicocele, which can affect not just male fertility but also combat effectiveness.