College requires fitness class for certain heavy students; right or wrong?
On Monday, CNN ran a story on its website about a college in Pennsylvania that requires students with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher to take a fitness course.
Students who are assigned to the class but don’t finish it — don’t graduate.
The students at Lincoln University knew about this requirement going in. The school approved the policy starting with students who entered the university in 2006.
Obesity is an epidemic in the United States. There’s no question about that. Last year alone, spending to treat the health consequences of obesity topped $86 billion, and predictions are that the cost will skyrocket in the next decade.
So, what’s wrong with this school’s policy? The CNN report states that both students and outsiders are criticizing the school’s rule. Does it discriminate by only making students with a certain BMI take the fitness class? Should everyone have to take it? Supporters of the requirement point out that the students knew about the policy going in; complaining about it three years later it too little, too late. (People were talking about this story on Monday in our current affairs forum on STLtoday.com, too)
Somehow, sometime, Americans will have to come to grips to the fact that we are — overall — fat. People eat too much and move too little. The administrators at Lincoln University are trying to do something to fight that. But are they doing it the right way?
Miss Amand,
BMI is only one method of determining health. While I like this idea, why not require student smokers to take a smoking cessation class? Or check the cholesterol of every student and make those with high levels take a course? Or those with high blood pressure? Or those with respiratory issues?
BMI is an issue, no doubt, in America. But it’s one tree — albeit the biggest, likely — in the forest.
YHS,
JPinSTL
It should be required for ALL students. Just as important as battling obesity is battling eating disorders. And while a student’s BMI is within acceptable limits, that doesn’t mean it will stay that way forever. Given the number or Health issues that impact a college student–overeating, undereating, basic nutrition, binge drinking, drug abuse, safe sex, sleep deprivation, etc.–there’s plenty of rationale for making it a required course for all students.
First of all, if I’m paying for my school, I should be able to decide what courses I want to take. People talk about not wanting discrimination, but here anyone with a certain body weight or makeup is discriminated against. Either everyone should have to take it like a core curriculum or it should be optional for everyone.
I know obesity is a problem here in the US. If we made people fully responsible for their actions and their own health, it would not be a significant problem here.
As someone who has battled a weight problem all her life, I think this might be a good idea, but it has to be a college board decision, not a law. However, if we make this a requirement, then require smoking cessation courses, drug cessation courses, and AA courses as well. Let’s address ALL the serious problems college kids have.
Ridiculous. I’d say, my tuition money, Mr. University. Butt out you. Way too intrusive and way too late.
Obesity is a cumulative lifestyle result that is usually fostered in early childhood. Any battle to be fought against it must be engaged within the nuclear family, and that a heck of a lot earlier than a kid’s late teens.
If the university wants to encourage healthier lifestyles, fine. Ban smoking on campus, serve healthy alternatives in all campus food outlets, provide health seminars and lots of intramural athletic/fitness activities - if any money is left after the varsity sports programs get it all. Beyond that — no way, go away.
If they knew it was a requirement going in it’s their fault for not following through with a commitment that they made when they enrolled.
I for one would not enroll in a college or university that was concerned with anything other than the quality of education that they could provide me for my money. If I wanted to stay fit it would be my decision and I could spend money joining a gym or training facility. They can’t call it education because everyone out there is well aware of the risk that being overweight carries.
If you had a life threatening brain tumor and only one doctor stood out as one that could perform surgery that would provide a chance of 100% recovery, would you shy away from him because of his or her physical appearance? Schools of higher education are to create perfect minds not bodies. Get the point?????????
I attended a small, private college in Florida, and part of their general education requirements were two semesters of PE classes. I took tennis one semester, and canoeing in the other. It wasn’t boot camp or anything like that, and the focus was more on technique (whether you took golf, tennis, running, swimming, etc.), and there were beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels for almost all activities offered. The point wasn’t to get us skinnier, but to encourage people to actually get out of their dorm rooms between classes and lunchtime, or even to pick up a new sport or hobby that you may not have otherwised paid to do before. Frankly, I enjoyed it.
Huh? Every Missouri college degree I have required 2 units of physical education. Why restrict it to only “heavy” students?
That being said, not everyone is, or can be at “ideal” weight. Some people are born large, some are born tiny. Metabolisms vary. There is a difference between being large, being obese, and being gluttonous.
It’s interesting. Diversity is celebrated everywhere except in the human body, where everyone is expected to conform to some ideal, and those who don’t are frowned upon.
Boyd - It’s a PRIVATE university. Rest-assured they are not doing this at UMSL, so you can have that burger and eat it too!
private college, they can do what they want. I say good idea. This would be a great college for someone to go to, no fattys. Think they need some junior professors? maybe some grad work there.