Chris Thompson   Chris Thompson on the internet

Two retired American army men apparently want Congress to introduce laws to give US children better nutrition in schools, with less sugar, salt and fat.

Obesity is threatening the US army, they said. In fact, they said that the fat crisis ruled out more potential military service recruits than any other medical factor.

Worrying obesity rates among young Americans could undermine the future of the US military, they said. In fact, research indicates more than a quarter of young Americans are too fat to fight.

John Shalikashvili and Hugh Shelton, both former chairmen of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, wrote: “Obesity rates threaten the overall health of America and the future strength of our military.”

The warning comes amid mounting fears that childhood obesity affects one in three young Americans.

But I can’t help thinking they just need to adapt their tactics. After all, Homer Simpson proved to be a phenomenal boxer in The Simpsons — even if it did involve taking an immense beating, and waiting until his opponent was too tired to stand up.

After the epic matches of the last few days, Wimbledon fever has well and truly reached boiling point. Andy Murray, our British lad, has, for the first time ever, made it to the semi-final. Which might not sound like much – but the quality of tennis on offer has been phenomenal: just ask Andy Roddick. And in recreation grounds across the country, people are playing tennis all day long.

I wrote about this sudden urge to play tennis a few days ago. But now, I’m beginning to feel that I wrote it in an overly sarcastic and perhaps a touch too pessimistic way.

My friend had a day off work today, and he quite fancied playing tennis. I said I’d take him up on the offer. Tennis, for me, can be a very satisfying game; like table tennis, or squash: you can make your opponent run around, and it can be very, very fun to do so. So I went, and I played, and I had fun – it was difficult not to, the weather was so beautiful. And when I was out there, I realised something.

Wimbledon fever is actually a really good thing.

So much these days, we hear about the obesity epidemic, which should probably be capitalised and read The Obesity Epidemic. We hear about our children not having enough PE lessons at school, and growing fat because of it. We hear about all sorts of these things, and really, for me to criticise people for wanting to go and play tennis because Wimbledon’s come on the TV is a bit rubbish.

It’s pretty fantastic that people of all ages get inspired by the sport to go out and play it themselves. It is tiring stuff, and is an easy way to get fit – and that’s an incredible thing. And when you consider how utterly sublime last year’s final was, where the tennis on display was probably the best that ever has been seen, it’s no wonder Wimbledon proves to be such an inspirational event.

It’s certainly not something to be grumbled about by foolish people like myself.