www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/11/30/lincoln.fitness.overweight/ind ex.html

College's too-fat-to-graduate rule under fire

By Elizabeth Landau, CNN Obesity

"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."

Lawson, who told CNN she had been putting off getting her BMI tested until this year, recently found out she would have to take the class. At first angry, Lawson said she is now more "confused" about the requirement.

"I don't know why they would want some people to be more healthy than others," she said.

But James DeBoy, chairman of the school's Department of Health and Physical Education, says the requirement is just like courses to help students' communications or math proficiency. The faculty also has a priority to be honest with students, he said.

"We, as educators, must tell students when we believe, in our heart of hearts, when certain factors, certain behaviors, attitudes, whatever, are going to hinder that student from achieving and maximizing their life goals," he said.

Moreover, if there were unlimited resources, the fitness opportunities would be for all students, but that is not the reality, he said.

The historically black college receives public funding, but is under independent control.

Obesity increases a person's risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, some cancers and other ailments. African-Americans were 1.4 times as likely to be obese as non-Hispanic whites in 2007, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. About four out of five African-American women are overweight or obese, the agency said.

"Obesity is going to rob you of your quality and quantity of life," DeBoy said. "We believe that this is unconscionable."

The fitness course, called "Fitness for Life," consists of activities including water aerobics, Tai Bo and aerobic dance, he said.

Because BMI is not a perfect measure of obesity, students also have their waist circumference measured, he said. There are some people who have a high BMI because of their muscle mass, but are not actually obese, and the waist measurement is meant to weed out those people.

From a legal perspective, the school's requirement seems "paternalistic" and "intrusive," said David Kairys, professor of law at Temple University Law School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

"The part that seems excessive is forcing them to take this course, or to exercise three hours a week, which isn't a bad idea for them, but should be their choice," he said.

Lincoln is "breaking new ground" with this requirement, as Kairys has not heard of one like it at other schools.

Some students, such as Brittnai Panton, a 19-year-old freshman from Decatur, Georgia, like the requirement. She tested out of having to take the class, but supports having it around.

"Being in this day and age where people are becoming overweight and need more fitness, I think it's a great idea to earn extra credit, an easy extra credit," she said.

Many of her classmates don't find it offensive, she said.

"It is like you're getting a second chance to actually do fitness in school, which certain people wouldn't do," she said. "Many of them find it an easy credit."

DeBoy said 620 students have either tested out or taken the course, with 80 remaining to get their BMI evaluated. He estimates 12 to 15 will need to take the fitness class in January.

When the faculty first approved the fitness course requirement in 2006, there were minimal concerns raised, he said. The intention is to spread the message that people in school, including high school and middle school, need more physical activity.

"This is one university's -- granted it's radical and it's upsetting -- approach to try to begin to directly address" obesity, he said.

I am not sure I understand her objection.  She doesn't want to take the class?  Or she is afraid she won't pass and won't be able to graduate?  Or she feels like she is being unfairly singled out because of her weight to take a course others aren't required to because of their weight?

When I was at A&M I remember 2 semesters of PE were a requirement for ALL students.  Not sure if it still is.  I took PE every semester because it was a great way to de-stress from my overly mental engineering studies but I wasn't overweight then so it wasn't an issue.

And you never know...... she may find she actually LIKES some of the exercises offered and develop some healthier habits.  It is certainly cheaper to add a 1-hr course to your fees than join a gym!

I took a health and wellness class a fe years ago - part of the requirements were workign out and a bunch of differnt tests - including the BMI  - I ended up on bed rest pg with twins and the teacher worked with me - I did all the class work and presentations etc and I passed it idid not screw my GPA at all, I walked away with an A

are they saying if she does not improve her BMI she fails the class or is she just affraid of that?

just my 2 cents

peace
Danni