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[US Agent]

College's too-fat-to-graduate rule under fire
By Elizabeth Landau, CNN

CNN) -- Most college students expect to receive their diplomas on the basis of grades, but at a Pennsylvania school, physical fitness matters too.

Students at Lincoln University with a body mass index of 30 or above, reflective of obesity, must take a fitness course that meets three hours per week. Those who are assigned to the class but do not complete it cannot graduate.

Now that the first class to have this requirement imposed is nearing graduation day -- students who entered in the fall of 2006 -- the school faces criticism from both students and outsiders about the fitness class policy.

One of those students is Tiana Lawson, 21, whose recent editorial in the student paper has drawn national attention to the issue. Lawson wrote in The Lincolnian that she would be more understanding if the requirement applied to everyone. She thinks all students, not just those with a high BMI, should have to take the class.

"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.

[Dooz]

I have no love for fatties who don't try to change their lifestyles, but this is just fucked up.

On a similar/not too similar thought, UF recently dropped all of their fitness and health/leisure courses like Jogging, Weightlifting, Golf, Cross Training, Conditioning, etc because of budget issues.

[nolanjwerner]

I'm not sure that BMI should be the ONLY factor used in determining obesity.

The problem is that BMI is relied on as the only factor in determining obesity.

[UnknownEric]

I think she missed the fine print on the application that read "No Fat Chicks."

[Jack Burton]

If I'm paying for academic education and meet the standards to pass based on academics it's bullshit to deny me my diploma based on my weight.

[IvCNuB4]

She couldn't read the fine print because her Cheeto-dust coated fingers smeared that part of the application ....

[hokeyboy]

I'm sick and tired of these fatasses who blame everyone but themselves for their condition, and assert that it's not as simple as exerting "willpower" and that they have a disease, etc. etc.


I want to drown them in a trough. My fingers, white with rage and tension, around their throats, pushing against their throes of death as they realize their inevitable transition into oblivion, my arms growing hot and tense and feeding off their fear, oh to never eat at Arby's again and Dave's ding-dong was unfettered under his thin, drawstring pants

[Dooz]

I'm not sure that BMI should be the ONLY factor used in determining obesity.

The problem is that BMI is relied on as the only factor in determining obesity.

If you can pinch an inch, you're a fatty.

[Dooz]

hokeyboy:

[hokeyboy]

hokeyboy:

Dooz:

[Dooz]

Dooz:

Pretty accurate, IMO.

[john lewis hawk]

i think it's a stupid rule considering that most people get fatter after college. This woman will lose the weight to graduate and then gain it and a lot more back afterwards. if she doesn't lose the weight, she'll get a little more weight or will lose the weight eventually. It's better not to have her lose weight now if they actually care about it.

[Alchemic_Spider]

a lot of fat hate in this thread...

[Jack Burton]

i think it's a stupid rule considering that most people get fatter after college. This woman will lose the weight to graduate and then gain it and a lot more back afterwards. if she doesn't lose the weight, she'll get a little more weight or will lose the weight eventually. It's better not to have her lose weight now if they actually care about it.

All this is is a way for the college to brag about how all their students have a low BMI. They don't give two craps about the kids IMO.

[john lewis hawk]

a lot of fat hate in this thread...

you going to gorge yourself on ice cream now, fatty?