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.

Wow.....so unfair

If they offered a physician supervised exercise program that was individualized for each student I wouldn't have a problem with it.  There is no way in  heck that I could do Tai Bo even now because of my orthopedic issues.  IMO, if they are not working with a dietician in addition to taking this class, it's an "exercise" in futility.

This is damned wrong and I hope students and parents put a stop to this.  You could make the same argument for std's but are they testing and requireing additional classes for that too?  What about substance abuse?  Smokers? They could include those groups as well. 

This is a humiliating and intrusive policy.   Personal health is a private matter.  How many administrators would dream of publicly tagging std carriers in a 'special' class before they may graduate?  Obesity is always visible so its been singled out.  I'd donate to the cause of students ready to fight this. 

Swimming was a requirement at one of the colleges I graduated from.  The way to get around that bad boy was to take more than 50% of your classes at night.  I had a full time job during college so most of my classes were at night... problem solved for me. We also had a required class that I couldn't get out of affectionately called "sex and a toothbrush" which was going over basics like hygiene, sex and use of subtances (alcohol and smoking.)

I agree there should be a physical fitness class but there should various types geared to your fitness level.  When I was in high school PE was required but you could substitute Chess and board games for the class.  Even golf or archery was acceptable.  Band or Chorus was a substitute for PE.  I had to take regular PE twice before I figured out the Chorus and Band deal.