Two retired American generals have cautioned that surging obesity rates witnessed among young Americans could pose a threat to the future of the US military, as many potential recruits are highly obese to serve military.

John Shalikashvili and Hugh Shelton revealed that obesity serves as a reason for disqualifying of more potential recruits compared to any other medical issue, with more than 25 percent of young Americans now highly overweight to fight.

"Obesity rates threaten the overall health of America and the future strength of our military," generals John Shalikashvili and Hugh Shelton, both former chairs of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, posted in a commentary.

The two generals have launched an urge to Congress to stick to a legislation that would result in better nutrition in schools, offering children more vegetables, fruits and whole grains, with introducing a cut on foods possessing high sugar, sodium and fat content.

The alarms ranged amidst soaring concern that childhood obesity has adopted a form of an "epidemic" engulfing nearly 33% of the American youngsters.

The two retired generals called for a plan by President Barack Obama's administration aimed to raise funds by $US1 billion ($1.08 billion) a year over 10 years diverted towards child nutrition programs.