Must take and pass fitness class to receive degrees from college?

[C.Ann]

Fair or unfair?
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Pa. university students upset about fitness class

Writer Kathy Matheson, Associated Press Writer – 1 hr 16 mins ago

PHILADELPHIA – 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."

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

[N.Bailey]

Since I am in the heartland of PSU camp, I fully support it and have always just accepted it as requirement. I didn't read the whole article, btw, living here, it's just something I've always been aware of. It's requirement at Penn State, so why shouldn't other colleges climb on board too?

[C.Ann]

Originally Posted by N.Bailey

Since I am in the heartland of PSU camp, I fully support it and have always just accepted it as requirement. I didn't read the whole article, btw, living here, it's just something I've always been aware of.

Are the students required to pay for this class - just as they would any other?

I basically just skimmed the article to get the general idea and thought it would be interesting to hear others opinions..

[lacrosse_lady72]

I would be completely fine with this if it was a requirement for ANY college. It shouldn't be anything anyone would have to pay for but I would be definitely willing to support this action.

Since they can't really ask anyone to eat healthy for 2 weeks to graduate, I think asking them to participate in a little exercise won't hurt anyone.

[diznygirl]

When I was in college we had a required aerobics class. I can't do high-impact stuff cuz I have bad knees. I got a a dr's note and that was that. I took two years of weight-training instead. One solution does not work for everyone. Education is good - but denying a degree based on health (which is what this is) is wrong IMO.

[LisaR]

I like that they are focusing on more than just exercise. They say they will teach nutrition, sleep habits and stress control in addition to exercise. If you came to college overweight, the chances of getting healthier while you are there is slim. You will sleep less, stress over classes and eat a lot of fast food and unhealthy food. I am in favor of everyone learning to make better choices.

[kristilew]

We were required to pass a walk/run test and a swim test to graduate from my liberal arts college. Learned to dance too.

[Judy from Boise]

My only problem is that it should be required for every student. It was for the university where I was on faculty.....and we made entire schedules around that requirement when advising because we new they had to have it.

[disykat]

I was required to take three semesters of PE classes to graduate from college. I thought this was normal? I paid private school prices for those classes and would have loved an opt out option. Honestly though, the exercise was good for me as was having a class that wasn't all academic.

I do agree that singling out overweight people is not the right way to go about it. They ought to have the requirement, but have people who are participating in sports or can prove an independent fitness program be able to opt out.

[EthansMom]

I don't have a problem with a health/PE requirement for graduation, but it should be required for ALL students and not just the (currently) overweight ones. Even the more slender students could benefit from exercise and nutrition information.

[etoiles]

I think it's ridiculous that they are measuring the body mass index to determine if you have the class as a requirement or not. Why not see which students smoke or test them for drug use or alcohol and have them take a 'get healthy' class as well?

It's one thing to have everyone take a class and another to single out people for it!

[Minniemama350]

The requirement is fine if ALL students are required to fulfill it. Only making some do it based on being overweight is discrimination. However...if these students knew that this was part of the requirements in their course catalogue when they came, they should've questioned it then. Waiting until the 11th hour is risky. If it is in your catalogue you are responsible for it, however unfair it may be.

I'd like to know how the college decided what is overweight.

[Sparx]

if my college thinks they have any right to measure my bmi and then put me in a (what would be considered) remedial class because of that, i would transfer to a college that respected their students.

requiring it for EVERYONE is one thing, but saying "only the fat students have to take this class" is just wrong!

[EthansMom]

Another thing that comes to mind is that not all thinner people eat nutritiously and/or exercise.

[RitaZ.]

Most colleges have a health class requirement for graduation.

If that college only requires it for overweight students, then there is a problem. The school is setting up itself for a lawsuit.