too fat.......no degree

RACER X · 11-23-2009, 10:32 AM

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20091120/D9C3GV502.html

Pa. university students upset about fitness class

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Nov 20, 4:52 PM (ET)

By KATHY MATHESON
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PHILADELPHIA (AP) - 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."

---

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

CrazyKell · 11-23-2009, 10:36 AM

Ridiculous.

They are under absolutely no obligation.

While it's great that the recognize there's an issue and clearly want to promote health, making mandatory fitness classes is ridiculous. Beyond ridiculous.

Rider · 11-23-2009, 10:42 AM

That's BS. There are plenty of body builders that have a BMI of near 30 that have under 10% body fat. BMI is such a farce. The only way to really know how fat you are is by the calipers and if you really want to get accurate, you need to be submerged in water.

shmike · 11-23-2009, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rider

That's BS. There are plenty of body builders that have a BMI of near 30 that have under 10% body fat. BMI is such a farce. The only way to really know how fat you are is by the calipers and if you really want to get accurate, you need to be submerged in water.

I doubt those BB's would bitch about taking this class.

It'd be an easy A.

The fatties are whining about having to take "PE", shocker.

Quote:

DeBoy stressed that students are not required to lose weight or lower their BMI; they must only pass the class through attendance and participation.

CrazyKell · 11-23-2009, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shmike

I doubt those BB's would bitch about taking this class.

It'd be an easy A.

The fatties are whining about having to take "PE", shocker.

They're whining about a requirement that has little to do with their education or specified degree.

I wasn't required to take a class in chemistry for my linguistics degree. How is this any different?

shmike · 11-23-2009, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrazyKell

They're whining about a requirement that has little to do with their education or specified degree.

I wasn't required to take a class in chemistry for my linguistics degree. How is this any different?

You took no science in college?

There were a number of classes that you WERE required to take that had absolutely no bearing on your degree. How is this any different?

101lifts2 · 11-23-2009, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrazyKell

They're whining about a requirement that has little to do with their education or specified degree.

I wasn't required to take a class in chemistry for my linguistics degree. How is this any different?

I'm an electrical engineer, but had to take Dynamics, Thermodynamics, Strength of Materials, History, Sociology etc which has "little to do with my education". As long as I knew what classes I had to take beforehand, I do not see an issue with it. Now if the school changed the requirements during the year, then sure complain.

Rider · 11-23-2009, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shmike

I doubt those BB's would bitch about taking this class.

It'd be an easy A.

The fatties are whining about having to take "PE", shocker.

Good point.

z06boy · 11-23-2009, 11:29 AM

Quote:

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.

Pretty much sums it up for me...they knew the requirements when they enrolled.

That's like when I joined the Marines...wonder how it would have gone over if I thought one of my requirements wasn't fair and they should not make me do it.

I don't agree with just going by BMI either and when I first read this I was in agreement that it is BS to require these students to do this BUT that was based on me thinking that the school had changed the requirements recently and were not requirements when these students enrolled...not the case.

They knew all along...too bad so sad...get to sweatin'.

Kaneman · 11-23-2009, 11:40 AM

Awesome. Now if we could only get similar requirements and training in public schools as well.

11-23-2009, 10:32 AM	#1
RACER X AMA Supersport Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Richmond, Tx Moto: '10 Tuono Factory Posts: 4,569	too fat.......no degree http://apnews.myway.com/article/20091120/D9C3GV502.html Pa. university students upset about fitness class Email this Story Nov 20, 4:52 PM (ET) By KATHY MATHESON sponsored links Voice Your Opinion - Take today's My Way Poll, featuring a new topic daily. http://poll.myway.com PHILADELPHIA (AP) - 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." --- Lincoln University: http://www.lincoln.edu __________________ ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ 2014 GROM! 181cc of FURY 2010 Aprilia Tuono Factory - SOLD 2009 SFV Gladius - SOLD 2008 Hayabusa - SOLD.

11-23-2009, 11:40 AM	#10
Kaneman AMA Supersport Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Odessa, TX Moto: 2000 Honda CBR1100XX Blackbird Posts: 4,931	Awesome. Now if we could only get similar requirements and training in public schools as well. __________________ 1982 Honda XR80 - blown motor, 1993 Kawasaki ZX6D - sold, 2001 Suzuki Bandit 1200S - sold, 1984 Honda Magna - sold, 2001 Kawasaki ZRX1200R - blown motor, 2007 Suzuki DL1000 V-Strom - totalled, 2003 Yamaha FZ1 - sold, 1994 Honda Magna - sold, 2001 Honda CBR600F4i - sold, 1998 Suzuki DR350 - stolen, 1989 Honda Super Magna - sold, 2007 Yamaha Stratoliner, 2000 Honda CBR 1100XX Blackbird

11-23-2009, 10:36 AM	#2
CrazyKell Vrooom Join Date: Nov 2008 Moto: 06 ZX6R Posts: 4,427	Ridiculous. They are under absolutely no obligation. While it's great that the recognize there's an issue and clearly want to promote health, making mandatory fitness classes is ridiculous. Beyond ridiculous.

11-23-2009, 10:42 AM	#3
Rider Moto GP Star Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 12,156	That's BS. There are plenty of body builders that have a BMI of near 30 that have under 10% body fat. BMI is such a farce. The only way to really know how fat you are is by the calipers and if you really want to get accurate, you need to be submerged in water.