Too fat to graduate?
Last week, CNN.com posted an interesting article about a policy at Lincoln University (a college in Pennsylvania), which requires all students with a body mass index below 30 (signaling obesity) to take a fitness class (they also take waist, measurement and muscle mass into consideration). Anyone who is required to take the class and doesn’t pass cannot graduate.
One Lincoln student wrote an article for the student paper, voicing her disagreement with the program: “I didn’t come to Lincoln to be told that my weight is not in an acceptable range,” Lawson wrote. “I came here to get an education which, as a three-time honor student, is something I have been doing quite well, despite the fact that I have a slightly high Body Mass Index.”
Tiana argues if the school implemented this policy to make students healthier, they should make it a requirement for all students, not only those deemed “obese.”
She makes a good point, but I found it interesting in her article Tiana said she tested out, but decided to take the class on her own terms, “how it should be.” Then, in the CNN article, they checked in with Tiana, who had been putting off having her BMI tested, only to discover that she is in fact required to take the class (poor girl!).
Personally, I like the fact that the school is making healthy living a priority. There is nationwide crisis in this country regarding obesity and I’m willing to bet that if this class was not mandatory, many of these students would continue living unhealthy lifestyles. No one wants to be told that they HAVE to do something, but in this case, the school is doing what’s best for these students. If they don’t like this policy, I suggest they pick another university.
What do you think about this policy?
My issue with the policy is that BMI is not always accurate and doesn’t tell the full story. Using the standard calculator (which just factors in your height and weight) puts me barely in normal, even though I work out and eat healthy. That said, 30 is a pretty tough number to hit if you are doing both those things.
My stance is the class should be taken regardless of your BMI because you could always be “skinny fat.”
Comment by Jenni — December 10, 2009 @ 8:43 AM