too fat.......no degree

RACER X · 11-23-2009, 10:32 AM

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20091120/D9C3GV502.html

Pa. university students upset about fitness class

Email this Story

Nov 20, 4:52 PM (ET)

By KATHY MATHESON
sponsored links
Voice Your Opinion - Take today's My Way Poll, featuring a new topic daily.
http://poll.myway.com

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A Pennsylvania university's requirement that overweight undergraduates take a fitness course to receive their degrees has raised the hackles of students and the eyebrows of health and legal experts.

Officials at historically black Lincoln University said Friday that the school is simply concerned about high rates of obesity and diabetes, especially in the African-American community.

"We know we're in the midst of an obesity epidemic," said James L. DeBoy, chairman of Lincoln's department of health, physical education and recreation. "We have an obligation to address this head on, knowing full well there's going to be some fallout."

The fallout began this week on Lincoln's campus about 45 miles southwest of Philadelphia, where seniors - the first class affected by the mandate - began realizing their last chance to take the class would be this spring.

Tiana Lawson, a 21-year-old senior, wrote in this week's edition of The Lincolnian, the student newspaper, that she "didn't come to Lincoln to be told that my weight is not in an acceptable range. I came here to get an education."

In an interview Friday, Lawson said she has no problem with getting healthy or losing weight. But she does have a problem with larger students being singled out.

"If Lincoln truly is concerned about everyone being healthy, then everyone should have to take this gym class, not just people who happen to be bigger," she said.

The mandate, which took effect for freshmen entering in fall 2006, requires students to get tested for their body mass index, a measure of weight to height.

A normal BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9. Students with one that's 30 or above - considered obese - are required to take a class called "Fitness for Life," which meets three hours a week.

The course involves walking, aerobics, weight training and other physical activities, as well as information on nutrition, stress and sleep, DeBoy said.

As of this fall, DeBoy estimated about 80 seniors - 16 percent of the class - had not had their body mass index tested nor taken the fitness class. Some of those students will likely be exempt from taking the class once they get their BMI results, he said.

Health experts applaud the school's intent, if not its execution. Mark Rothstein, director of the bioethics institute at the University of Louisville's School of Medicine, said being forced to disclose such health information is "at least awkward and often distasteful."

And it doesn't necessarily lead to the best outcomes, he said, noting that "when the (health) goals are imposed on people, they don't do that well in meeting them."

DeBoy stressed that students are not required to lose weight or lower their BMI; they must only pass the class through attendance and participation.

"It's the sound mind and the sound body concept," DeBoy said. "I think the university, to its credit, is trying to be proactive."

Some experts said recent amendments to the Americans with Disabilities Act might lead to exemptions for morbidly obese students, who could argue that participating in the class would be dangerous.

Also, students need more than exercise, said Marcia Costello, a registered dietitian in the Philadelphia area. The university should make sure its dining halls and vending machines offer healthy choices, she said.

Costello, an assistant professor of nursing at Villanova University, also noted that body mass index can be misleading. Since muscle weighs more than fat, "it is possible to be overweight and still be physically fit," she said.

Lawson, a mass communications major, said while she believes her current BMI would exempt her from the class, she's going to take it anyway "because I would like to be healthier."

"This was a decision that I made," she wrote in The Lincolnian, "and that's the way it ought to be."

---

Lincoln University: http://www.lincoln.edu

CrazyKell · 11-23-2009, 10:36 AM

Ridiculous.

They are under absolutely no obligation.

While it's great that the recognize there's an issue and clearly want to promote health, making mandatory fitness classes is ridiculous. Beyond ridiculous.

Rider · 11-23-2009, 10:42 AM

That's BS. There are plenty of body builders that have a BMI of near 30 that have under 10% body fat. BMI is such a farce. The only way to really know how fat you are is by the calipers and if you really want to get accurate, you need to be submerged in water.

shmike · 11-23-2009, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rider

That's BS. There are plenty of body builders that have a BMI of near 30 that have under 10% body fat. BMI is such a farce. The only way to really know how fat you are is by the calipers and if you really want to get accurate, you need to be submerged in water.

I doubt those BB's would bitch about taking this class.

It'd be an easy A.

The fatties are whining about having to take "PE", shocker.

Quote:

DeBoy stressed that students are not required to lose weight or lower their BMI; they must only pass the class through attendance and participation.

CrazyKell · 11-23-2009, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shmike

I doubt those BB's would bitch about taking this class.

It'd be an easy A.

The fatties are whining about having to take "PE", shocker.

They're whining about a requirement that has little to do with their education or specified degree.

I wasn't required to take a class in chemistry for my linguistics degree. How is this any different?

Rider · 11-23-2009, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shmike

I doubt those BB's would bitch about taking this class.

It'd be an easy A.

The fatties are whining about having to take "PE", shocker.

Good point.

shmike · 11-23-2009, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrazyKell

They're whining about a requirement that has little to do with their education or specified degree.

I wasn't required to take a class in chemistry for my linguistics degree. How is this any different?

You took no science in college?

There were a number of classes that you WERE required to take that had absolutely no bearing on your degree. How is this any different?

CrazyKell · 11-23-2009, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shmike

You took no science in college?

There were a number of classes that you WERE required to take that had absolutely no bearing on your degree. How is this any different?

I was required to have a breadth of classes and subjects, of which I could choose from a variety of classes or courses. I was not required to take specific courses that were not required for my degree.

Saying you must take so many credits in science/english/whatever is not the same as saying you must take X course that has absolutely nothing to do with obtaining your degree.

Homeslice · 11-23-2009, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrazyKell

I was required to have a breadth of classes and subjects, of which I could choose from a variety of classes or courses. I was not required to take specific courses that were not required for my degree.
.

Sure you were. You were probably required to take at least one history class, at least one writing class, at least one science class, etc.....

This is cut and dry. These kids were told 4 years ago what the requirements were. They had 4 years to meet them. They chose not to.

Go to a different school if you don't like the requirements.

CrazyKell · 11-23-2009, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Homeslice

Sure you were. You were probably required to take at least one history class, at least one writing class, at least one science class, etc.....

This is cut and dry. These kids were told 4 years ago what the requirements were. They had 4 years to meet them. They chose not to.

Go to a different school if you don't like the requirements.

This is not a requirement for everyone. That I would have no problem with...same as history/english/science requirements.

This is a requirement only for those with a certain BMI. Using BMI to measure obesity is questionable at best.

11-23-2009, 10:32 AM	#1
RACER X AMA Supersport Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Richmond, Tx Moto: '10 Tuono Factory Posts: 4,569	too fat.......no degree http://apnews.myway.com/article/20091120/D9C3GV502.html Pa. university students upset about fitness class Email this Story Nov 20, 4:52 PM (ET) By KATHY MATHESON sponsored links Voice Your Opinion - Take today's My Way Poll, featuring a new topic daily. http://poll.myway.com PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A Pennsylvania university's requirement that overweight undergraduates take a fitness course to receive their degrees has raised the hackles of students and the eyebrows of health and legal experts. Officials at historically black Lincoln University said Friday that the school is simply concerned about high rates of obesity and diabetes, especially in the African-American community. "We know we're in the midst of an obesity epidemic," said James L. DeBoy, chairman of Lincoln's department of health, physical education and recreation. "We have an obligation to address this head on, knowing full well there's going to be some fallout." The fallout began this week on Lincoln's campus about 45 miles southwest of Philadelphia, where seniors - the first class affected by the mandate - began realizing their last chance to take the class would be this spring. Tiana Lawson, a 21-year-old senior, wrote in this week's edition of The Lincolnian, the student newspaper, that she "didn't come to Lincoln to be told that my weight is not in an acceptable range. I came here to get an education." In an interview Friday, Lawson said she has no problem with getting healthy or losing weight. But she does have a problem with larger students being singled out. "If Lincoln truly is concerned about everyone being healthy, then everyone should have to take this gym class, not just people who happen to be bigger," she said. The mandate, which took effect for freshmen entering in fall 2006, requires students to get tested for their body mass index, a measure of weight to height. A normal BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9. Students with one that's 30 or above - considered obese - are required to take a class called "Fitness for Life," which meets three hours a week. The course involves walking, aerobics, weight training and other physical activities, as well as information on nutrition, stress and sleep, DeBoy said. As of this fall, DeBoy estimated about 80 seniors - 16 percent of the class - had not had their body mass index tested nor taken the fitness class. Some of those students will likely be exempt from taking the class once they get their BMI results, he said. Health experts applaud the school's intent, if not its execution. Mark Rothstein, director of the bioethics institute at the University of Louisville's School of Medicine, said being forced to disclose such health information is "at least awkward and often distasteful." And it doesn't necessarily lead to the best outcomes, he said, noting that "when the (health) goals are imposed on people, they don't do that well in meeting them." DeBoy stressed that students are not required to lose weight or lower their BMI; they must only pass the class through attendance and participation. "It's the sound mind and the sound body concept," DeBoy said. "I think the university, to its credit, is trying to be proactive." Some experts said recent amendments to the Americans with Disabilities Act might lead to exemptions for morbidly obese students, who could argue that participating in the class would be dangerous. Also, students need more than exercise, said Marcia Costello, a registered dietitian in the Philadelphia area. The university should make sure its dining halls and vending machines offer healthy choices, she said. Costello, an assistant professor of nursing at Villanova University, also noted that body mass index can be misleading. Since muscle weighs more than fat, "it is possible to be overweight and still be physically fit," she said. Lawson, a mass communications major, said while she believes her current BMI would exempt her from the class, she's going to take it anyway "because I would like to be healthier." "This was a decision that I made," she wrote in The Lincolnian, "and that's the way it ought to be." --- Lincoln University: http://www.lincoln.edu __________________ ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ 2014 GROM! 181cc of FURY 2010 Aprilia Tuono Factory - SOLD 2009 SFV Gladius - SOLD 2008 Hayabusa - SOLD.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

11-23-2009, 10:36 AM	#2
CrazyKell Vrooom Join Date: Nov 2008 Moto: 06 ZX6R Posts: 4,427	Ridiculous. They are under absolutely no obligation. While it's great that the recognize there's an issue and clearly want to promote health, making mandatory fitness classes is ridiculous. Beyond ridiculous.

11-23-2009, 10:42 AM	#3
Rider Moto GP Star Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 12,156	That's BS. There are plenty of body builders that have a BMI of near 30 that have under 10% body fat. BMI is such a farce. The only way to really know how fat you are is by the calipers and if you really want to get accurate, you need to be submerged in water.