It is not usual to require fitness courses in colleges, but it may not be a bad idea. The majority of adults in the United States — the majority — are overweight.
This is not a simple problem or one of just “aesthetics” or “body preferences.” It can mean life and death. Overweight adults are much more likely to develop diabetes, high blood pressure and strokes.
SOME students at Lincoln University are calling it the “fat course” – a fitness course that obese students are required to take in order to graduate.
But this afternoon, Lincoln faculty members are expected to re-examine the policy after students and faculty members complained recently that it may be discriminatory.The requirement calls for students to have their body mass index, or BMI, measured as freshmen. Those with a BMI of 30 or higher must take the fitness course, called “HPR 103: Fitness for Life.”
A BMI of 18.5 to 24.5 is considered healthy, from 25 to 29 is overweight and over 30 is considered obese, said James L. DeBoy, chairman of Lincoln’s Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation.
The issue has brought national and international attention to the small, historically black school in Oxford, Pa., about 50 miles southwest of Philadelphia.
There are some complaints that requiring the course for those with an elevated body mass index is discriminatory.
It may be a better idea to have the course required for all students. After all, many young adults do fairly well at maintaining a healthy weight, only to gain in later years.
If anything can be done to prevent the slow and deadly weight gain it would be worth it. The students should be thankful that someone at the university cares enough to try to do something about it.
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