Too Fat to Graduate

Surfing the web today, I came across a story about a college in Pennsylvania. At Lincoln University in Oxford, PA; students must past a BMI test in order to place out of taking a fitness class. A fitness class that is needed to graduate. It is a strange twist on what most college students expect out of college. They go to take classes and hopefully receive a diploma after anywhere between three and six years. But students at Lincoln University with a body mass index of 30 or more, which equals someone being obese, must take a fitness class that meets three hours weekly. The class is mandatory and necessary for graduation.

The first class to have this as a requirement is nearing their graduation date. As that date approaches, criticism is being expressed. Tiana Lawson, a student, has used an editorial to bring this matter national attention. She expresses the unfairness of the class being only meant for those with a high BMI and not all students. It is a class to highlight who is too fat and who isn't. James DeBoy, chairman of the school's Department of Health and Physical Education, says that the class is just like any other class needed by students. Learning history or math is important to graduate. For DeBoy, someone's health is of the same level of importance and what the class is meant for. Also, if resources were unlimited, he said that the class would be open to more than just those with a high BMI. To eliminate the possibility of more people who test high having to take the class; a waist circumference is measure as muscle mass adds to a high BMI.

Lincoln University is a historically black school. Obesity statistics when referring to African Americans are alarming. Obesity rises the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and some cancers. African Americans are 1.4 times as likely to be obese as non Hispanic white in studies a couple years ago done by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. According to data, four out of five African American women are overweight or obese.

The biggest thing in this whole equation is the mandatory aspect of the class. People in this class are being forced to work out three hours a week. They should be doing this, but on their own time. This class is ground breaking and could set a precedent for other universities to follow if this becomes successful. There are way too many overweight and obese people, who without someone telling them to work out; they won't do it. I remember in high school we used to have a weekly workout session. Half the students would do the exercises and half would either partially do them or try to avoid doing them all together. Not everyone can be motivated to work out and be healthy so I commend this university for taking the extra step to probably safe many lives and extend them. It might not seem right, but it is necessary in today's society.