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BMI Requirement Causes Uproar

Abstract:
Lincoln University students will now have to endure a physical exam determining each student's BMI (body mass index) before they are permitted to graduate. An individual's BMI measures the amount of body fat.

Amid fierce criticisms, Lincoln University has recently installed a new requirement for its undergraduate students....

Rev. Jerry S. Fontaine

posted 11/17/09 @ 1:28 PM EST

I think the BMI requirement is an excellent idea.
Our community struggles with health issues, it is time
to address the problem and educate our family.
One problem, the food is so bad at Lincoln that over eating should not be the problem. The focus should be to feed the students healthy food and use organic items. Add a nutrition course in the IEP.
Once these things are in place then and only then should BMI be considered.
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Las Vegas Movers | Long distance moving Las Vegas

posted 11/18/09 @ 4:29 PM EST

Quote:

"I don't necessarily agree with the BMI being a requirement," said Dr. Yvonne Hilton, a professor in the Health, Physical Education and Recreation department. "It is understood that obesity in America is growing fast, but maybe there should have been a different approach in informing the students about their health and building their awareness."

I wonder what Stephen Hawking's BMI is?
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matina demeli

posted 11/24/09 @ 8:52 AM EST

Originally posted by

Las Vegas Movers | Long distance moving Las Vegas

 Quote:

"I don't necessarily agree with the BMI being a requirement," said Dr. Yvonne Hilton, a professor in the Health, Physical Education and Recreation department. "It is understood that obesity in America is growing fast, but maybe there should have been a different approach in informing the students about their health and building their awareness."

I wonder what Stephen Hawking's BMI is?


Hello from Athens Greece

I am journalist in a Greek newspaper and i am writing a story about it and i want some students to talk to and with you if you agree. Can you answer me at the e-mail above?
Thank you in advance.
Matina Demeli
mdemeli@gmail.com
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Health Insurance Quotes Site

posted 1/13/10 @ 11:31 PM EST

Originally posted by

Las Vegas Movers | Long distance moving Las Vegas

 Quote:

"I don't necessarily agree with the BMI being a requirement," said Dr. Yvonne Hilton, a professor in the Health, Physical Education and Recreation department. "It is understood that obesity in America is growing fast, but maybe there should have been a different approach in informing the students about their health and building their awareness."

I wonder what Stephen Hawking's BMI is?


Ok this makes sense but lacks the depth of a real argument when we're on a topic such as this. Its really based on a situation in which we must integrate solutions.
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Tim

posted 11/19/09 @ 10:33 AM EST

Watch for enrollment to take a nosedive.
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Lauren Jones

posted 11/19/09 @ 12:15 PM EST

Do they really want to lose talented students with BMI's over 30 who decide to attend other universities because of this?

I know I wouldn't choose to go here if this were a requirement and I was over the limit.
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jerry watts

posted 11/20/09 @ 1:34 AM EST

What is going on at these predominantly black colleges?This BMI requirement is the dumbest thing that I have heard since Morehouse college announced that its students had to dress in a "masculine" manner-after all God forbid a Morehouse cross-dresser or a Morehous trans-sexual...or even a Morehouse man who does not want to dress is some type of commodified manly manner...the name thing to go will be those "ethnic" names ala Tamika, Tawana,Jwan, Condoleeza....
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david

posted 11/23/09 @ 10:57 PM EST

Originally posted by

jerry watts

 What is going on at these predominantly black colleges?This BMI requirement is the dumbest thing that I have heard since Morehouse college announced that its students had to dress in a "masculine" manner-after all God forbid a Morehouse cross-dresser or a Morehous trans-sexual...or even a Morehouse man who does not want to dress is some type of commodified manly manner...the name thing to go will be those "ethnic" names ala Tamika, Tawana,Jwan, Condoleeza....


[that because they dont study enough and too much party . or keeping out too much or many reason that they are failing grade. they should study and pass the grade
thanks

d
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mkw

posted 11/20/09 @ 9:08 AM EST

Here's my take on it, for what it's worth: First, why only target obese people? If this is something that they're going to do, help everybody, not just the ones that might seem to need it most. I see that as a form of discrimiation against obese people. I like how my college required everyone to take 2 p.e. classes - which promotes health and well being while not singling anyone out.

Second, requiring them to take a class? If they do it the same way as most colleges, their students pay by the credit hours. So, isn't that saying obese people have to pay that much more than ones that aren't?

Third, if it's a matter of the image of the people graduating from their school and how they reflect on it, why not start with something that more directly influences their future success? Like, drug screenings to graduate to prevent drug use? Or, having kids argue their papers to make sure they didn't plagarize?... Read More

Fourth - $100 says their enrollment will go down. If I was one of those people, I wouldn't even bother applying to that school if I knew that was going to happen.
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JC

posted 11/20/09 @ 12:43 PM EST

As a college administrator, the policy as described definitely singles out one specific group of students. Those students are then subjected to a required course that will further segregate them from the remainder of the student population. Students who are obese already feel the pressure to conform and fit in to the stereo-typical 'body'. The policy, though the professor would disagree, follows (at the extreme) policies set by Adolf Hitler after he consolidated his control of Germany.

Hitler mandated the Aryan 'look' be promoted and that those who did not fit the 'look' would be required to be 'educated' in what made a good German citizen.

While I am not a lawyer, I would encourage any student who is threatened with non-graduation due to the policy to contact the local ACLU to inquire about filing an injunction against the college in addition to investigating a discrimination suit against the college and professor.

Lastly, why only obese students? Why not students who smoke, drink alcohol, drink 'energy' drinks, who ride buses instead of walking to class, etc. Sound ridiculous? Sure does. Just as ridiculous as a mandatory class based on student BMI.
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Francis

posted 11/20/09 @ 10:47 PM EST

As alum of LU, I think it's great that the university wishes to encourage the students in becoming healthier. The practices for fitness and healthy eating, which the university should teach, may help to eliminate future health problems that are prevalent in the black community (i.e Hypertension and Diabetes).

HOWEVER, it is counterproductive for the university to require students to have an "acceptable" BMI when they offer hamburgers as a daily food option in the cafeteria. Of course there were other options, yet the majority of the students did not find them palatable. I'm sure the Chinese Take-out, Dominos, or Pat's can attest to the number of students who frequent their facilities. I haven't eaten in the cafeteria in quite a few years so maybe with this new requirement things have changed.

I also agree with commenter mkw who states that the health directed requirement should come full circle (i.e. drug testing, intellectual capacity, reading and writing on an appropriate level for a college graduate) . The university shouldn't solely focus on obese students as the only group of students who are "detrimental" to the image of the university. I'm sure there are students with a BMI which is "acceptable" who are severely brining down the university's image on a daily basis.
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Catta

posted 11/21/09 @ 12:44 AM EST

With respect, I must vehemently oppose this ridiculous requirement. It doesn't just discriminate against people based on their appearance. It presumes that people with the high BMI are both too "stupid" and too "lazy" to exercise unless they are led by the hand and given an "incentive." It is especially offensive that the "incentive" in this case amounts to holding a degree justly earned hostage until the person whose body size is unacceptable capitulates and attends the class "for their own good." (And why does the university believe it has the right to determine what students' "good" is? Are not most of the students adults?)

Shocking though it might be to self-righteously slender people, it has been demonstrated over and over that most overweight and obese people do not eat any differently than do thin people, and plenty of them get plenty of activity, yet remain overweight. Equally shocking, no doubt, are the indications that a person's weight has as much to do with genetics as does a person's height. Just because you don't like hearing that doesn't mean it is not true. Weight is not morality (or, in modern parlance "lifestyle choice") and obesity is not a character defect.

Even if that were not true, it is unlikely that one "fitness" course will seriously impact obesity anywhere, and it is patently false that the BMI measurement is in any wise indicative of an individual's actual health, or, indeed, his or her health risk. Every single body is different, for a variety of reasons. Show me a hundred obese people and I will show you a hundred different factors. What neither I nor anyone else has been able to show, though, is how to make those obese people into permanently thin people, OR whether the weight loss, in and of itself, has any health benefits. (Exercise does. Good nutrition does. But, as I've stated, plenty of obese people get plenty of both).

Finally, even cursory research into the history of the BMI shows its distasteful links to Victorian-era social darwinism. I am sure people know the tenets of this odious theory, and that they can then understand why I find it ironic that a university with a predominantly African American student body would endorse and use BMI to assess its students' worth.
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BV

posted 12/18/09 @ 2:08 PM EST

Originally posted by

Catta

 With respect, I must vehemently oppose this ridiculous requirement. It doesn't just discriminate against people based on their appearance. It presumes that people with the high BMI are both too "stupid" and too "lazy" to exercise unless they are led by the hand and given an "incentive." It is especially offensive that the "incentive" in this case amounts to holding a degree justly earned hostage until the person whose body size is unacceptable capitulates and attends the class "for their own good." (And why does the university believe it has the right to determine what students' "good" is? Are not most of the students adults?)

Shocking though it might be to self-righteously slender people, it has been demonstrated over and over that most overweight and obese people do not eat any differently than do thin people, and plenty of them get plenty of activity, yet remain overweight. Equally shocking, no doubt, are the indications that a person's weight has as much to do with genetics as does a person's height. Just because you don't like hearing that doesn't mean it is not true. Weight is not morality (or, in modern parlance "lifestyle choice") and obesity is not a character defect.

Even if that were not true, it is unlikely that one "fitness" course will seriously impact obesity anywhere, and it is patently false that the BMI measurement is in any wise indicative of an individual's actual health, or, indeed, his or her health risk. Every single body is different, for a variety of reasons. Show me a hundred obese people and I will show you a hundred different factors. What neither I nor anyone else has been able to show, though, is how to make those obese people into permanently thin people, OR whether the weight loss, in and of itself, has any health benefits. (Exercise does. Good nutrition does. But, as I've stated, plenty of obese people get plenty of both).

Finally, even cursory research into the history of the BMI shows its distasteful links to Victorian-era social darwinism. I am sure people know the tenets of this odious theory, and that they can then understand why I find it ironic that a university with a predominantly African American student body would endorse and use BMI to assess its students' worth.


It is so very silly to say obese people do not eat any differently than slender people. Only about 5% of the population have an identifiable medical condition that can give that idividual a propensity, notice I did not say gurantee, to become obese. Therefore when we are looking at 20-30% of the USA population considered obese then we can no longer make excuses for their genetics. It is a simple equation of too many calories consumed and too little calories burned. It's irresponsible just the same as drinking, smoking and drug abuse and, similar to those habits, has the same kind of detrimental effect on society with regards to health care costs. I feel this program could help these individuals gain more control over their lives and help them become healthier and more confident about themselves.
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Jedidiah Jones

posted 11/21/09 @ 4:47 AM EST

This world has gone completely knucking futts! We are living the movie "Idiocracy"

I DO NOT have an oz. of fat on me (body builder) and my BMI is considered "high". These "Precambrian Haploids" (University officials), for example, do not take into consideration the differences in weight between lean muscle mass and body fat. Someone can have a high BMI, but his or her fat percentage could be low. Large body builders might fail the BMI when they are in excellent health and have a very low percentage of body fat.
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family doctor

posted 11/30/09 @ 2:20 PM EST

Yes they do - they measure your waist circumference to compensate for high muscle mass people.

QUOTE id="6f0fe0b7-bffb-4b09-a1ad-07b3cd4595e6"]This world has gone completely knucking futts! We are living the movie "Idiocracy"

I DO NOT have an oz. of fat on me (body builder) and my BMI is considered "high". These "Precambrian Haploids" (University officials), for example, do not take into consideration the differences in weight between lean muscle mass and body fat. Someone can have a high BMI, but his or her fat percentage could be low. Large body builders might fail the BMI when they are in excellent health and have a very low percentage of body fat.[/QUOTE]
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Jedidiah Jones

posted 11/21/09 @ 4:57 AM EST

PS. This is what we can all expect now that we are a Country in the throes of fascism. "They" will control our every waking hour.

"The right to the pursuit of happiness means man's right to live for himself, to choose what constitutes his own, private, personal happiness and to work for its achievement. Each individual is the sole and final judge in this choice. A man's happiness cannot be prescribed to him by another man or by any number of other men." -Ayn Rand, The Only Path to Tomorrow
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Bman

posted 11/21/09 @ 9:35 AM EST

I just sent this article to 423 people on my buddy list. This is incredible!Has this life and people become so shallow even college teachers and beyond are in on it.
This may or may not be a problem, but I sincerely think it's a personal problem! Not yours to add insult to injury. I believe sincerely whomever started this and is involved is definately without a doubt in league with lucifer,and you in the end will get your just reward,for an eternity!!!
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Janet Little, MPH, RD, LDN

posted 11/21/09 @ 12:42 PM EST

Rather than focusing on graduation, I would suggest employing a registered dietitian to be available to all students during their college years. The RD could work with the food and beverage manager to give an introduction to the school food service to incoming freshmen. The RD could work with the trainer in the fitness center. Student groups such as sororities and fraternities could request presentations by the RD. The school nurse could refer students needing medical nutrition therapy to the registered dietitian. And, students could request one-on-one diet counseling.
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Nancy Hill

posted 11/27/09 @ 4:08 PM EST

Originally posted by

Janet Little, MPH, RD, LDN

 Rather than focusing on graduation, I would suggest employing a registered dietitian to be available to all students during their college years. The RD could work with the food and beverage manager to give an introduction to the school food service to incoming freshmen. The RD could work with the trainer in the fitness center. Student groups such as sororities and fraternities could request presentations by the RD. The school nurse could refer students needing medical nutrition therapy to the registered dietitian. And, students could request one-on-one diet counseling.

Good ideas, but it is a coulda, woulda, shoulda, situation that still boils down to the 'fat police' zeroing in on someone and forcing them to do it.
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BECKY

posted 11/21/09 @ 1:15 PM EST

i AM CONFUSED. SHOULDNT ALL STUDENT BE REQUIRED TO TAKE A ped CLass, fat or not? My sons go to the same college in Illinois and they are required to take 1st aid, personal Health & Wellness, and a PED clss like swimming or kickboxing.... walking class... whats the big deal?? there are YOGA classes too!!

So i guess is my stand on this is EVERYONE should have to take a PED class in the 4 years. leave the BMI crap out of it. The way they are singeling out people based on BMI is the Issue.

And by the way I am Fat so .....
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Charles

posted 11/21/09 @ 1:31 PM EST

Heads up y'all, if we get government healthcare you can expect this to be the norm.
Overweight?
Well you need to lose weight before you get your healthcare.
High blood pressure?
If we don't see improvement we will withhold treatment.
Sorry ma'am you have high cholesterol, you need to cut back on fried foods and eat more vegetables and tofu. If we don't see improvement you cannot have heathcare.

Think about how much control the government has when when they are the dispenser of healthcare.
AND they cannot be sued like an insurance company.
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Tom Kas

posted 11/21/09 @ 1:51 PM EST

As wrong as this is, it does not surprise me. In a country where the Progressives think they know what's best for other people, the USA will continue to deteriorate into a society dominated by the opinions of the few. It's quite surprising that an institute of learning like Lincoln, an organization that should be promoting freedoms, is making lifestyle a condition of graduation! If we think this is bad, just wait until health care is nationalized. The opinions of the few in government will be forced upon the American people in the interest of avoiding increases in health costs and it's impact on the national debt. It's coming folks, the signs are there. It's how the non-smoking trend started. The Progressives want to run your life for the good of what they believe in. I don't think it's is consistent with the ideals that this country was founded on. If we continue to lean left in our voting decisions, we will be slowly moving ourselves toward an overbearing and controlling government. Think about it folks.
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Buffalo Soldier

posted 11/21/09 @ 2:54 PM EST

I see by your polls 98% of you stated you were voting for Obama. This tells your administration that you are sheep and they know what is best for you. Having left the plantation 150 years ago, your leaders now wish to take away personal freedom and individuality and have no respect for the way you wish to live your lives. You must conform to the wishes of the new Black aristocracy. You have seen nothing. The change you voted for will infect the entire country. Those who wish to give up freedom for security deserve neither. One day, it is my hope your professors will actually encourage you to think for yourselves. But, for now, they prefer reeducation camps, control, and power. This is the same plan used by the plantation owners your forefathers so desparately wished to escape. Now, you apparently are indocrinated sufficiently to accept what is to come. People who continue voting the same way and expect a different outcome are fools. The next dictate will be? Whatever they want if you continue to be their slave to their idea of what is best for you.
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Miranda

posted 11/21/09 @ 7:35 PM EST

Originally posted by

Buffalo Soldier

 I see by your polls 98% of you stated you were voting for Obama. This tells your administration that you are sheep and they know what is best for you. Having left the plantation 150 years ago, your leaders now wish to take away personal freedom and individuality and have no respect for the way you wish to live your lives. You must conform to the wishes of the new Black aristocracy. You have seen nothing. The change you voted for will infect the entire country. Those who wish to give up freedom for security deserve neither. One day, it is my hope your professors will actually encourage you to think for yourselves. But, for now, they prefer reeducation camps, control, and power. This is the same plan used by the plantation owners your forefathers so desparately wished to escape. Now, you apparently are indocrinated sufficiently to accept what is to come. People who continue voting the same way and expect a different outcome are fools. The next dictate will be? Whatever they want if you continue to be their slave to their idea of what is best for you.


Teabagging birther please........shouldn't you be somewhere decrying "socialist healthcare" all the while using medicaid for the mobile wheelchair to tarry around Wal-mart in "real amurikkka"??
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Tom Kas

posted 11/21/09 @ 3:06 PM EST

I just saw this on CNN 11/21/09:
"Sen. Blanche Lincoln says she supports bringing the health care bill to the floor for debate, giving Democrats the 60 votes needed to prevent a GOP filibuster"

It's happening as I write this. Soon, all universities that receive federal funding, will be required to apply the BMI requirement. Nationalizing Healthcare, the take over of GM and the banks, It's happening right under our noses. WAKE UP FOLKS. This BMI thing is bigger than you think. What a coincidence, The Lincoln in our history freed those who were being oppressed. The Lincolns of today are making moves toward an oppressive society! ????
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Marianne

posted 11/21/09 @ 3:10 PM EST

Haha, just wanted to let you know that the school is being ridiculed as far away as Norway. Sorry, guys, but this could only happen in America;-)

And what about underweight individuals, people who suffer from anorexia? Are they permitted to graduate?

Sure, let the obese take low paid jobs at Mc Donalds instead because you won't allow them a degree. I'm sure that would do wonders for their weight problem. Then you can really talk an increase the health of their (former) students.

Congratulations, you have just reached a new low!
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pat

posted 11/21/09 @ 5:01 PM EST

This is one of the worst instances of discrimination I have seen. It is undoubtedly illegal. There are many reasons why it is unfair or at least, unintelligent (who is going to be first to drop over dead from the inappropriate exercise?).

I imagine black students and especially women, have seen enough discrimination already. What about people like me and Oprah who have the disease of food addiction and y0-y0 obesity regardless of diet or excersie - there are still unknown bio-chemical causes to obesity.

OFFER the class - by all means - even maybe give incentives (like chits to your local natural foods store) - but you dare not require it for fat people only for graduation.
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Emily

posted 11/25/09 @ 8:03 AM EST

Originally posted by You fatties can transfer.


Well gee, Mike, you think their fat, stubby fingers could dial the numbers to start the process?

To all those belching forth about those evil lefties- you do understand that government health care is provided by most first world countries, yes? And that America's pathetic and inhumane health care/insurance systems have been mocked by foreigners who've never even been there for years?
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Lee Kushnir

posted 11/22/09 @ 10:23 AM EST

Hey there---This is Lee Kushnir from Fox News Channel in NYC. I'm hoping to answer a few questions we have on this story, so if you are a student aware/involved with the issue, please email me at lee.kushnir@foxnews.com, and we will be in touch. Thanks so much, and hope to hear from you soon.
-Lee
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PeopleOfSize.com

posted 11/22/09 @ 11:14 AM EST

PeopleOfSize.com has started an iPetition to address this discriminatory and potentially dangerous Lincoln University "wellness" course. Please view and sign and forward link!

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/WeightDiscrimination/
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Robert Haig

posted 11/25/09 @ 6:11 PM EST

Originally posted by

PeopleOfSize.com

 PeopleOfSize.com has started an iPetition to address this discriminatory and potentially dangerous Lincoln University "wellness" course. Please view and sign and forward link!


Dangerous? Oh no!! someone's going to learn about how their bodies work and what it takes to lose weight. Maybe do some supervised exercise.

Dangerous? please!
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Heidi

posted 11/22/09 @ 7:20 PM EST

As a primarily black college, you would think that they would have considered the implications of discriminating against a group of people based on physical appearance.

If they want to help their students be healthier they should make a health class requirement for ALL students - not just the ones who are overweight at graduation time. By making it a requirement for graduation they are showing a clear bias against those who are currently overweight, with no thought to the future of the rest of their student body.
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Susan Pevar

posted 11/23/09 @ 10:47 AM EST

I saw the tail end of the story on Fox News this morning -- not enough to judge whether they reported the issue accurately, so I hope I will have a chance either on TV or online to see the whole thing.
The requirement got passed by faculty in the first place as a move to help Lincoln students, but I don't think it was well thought out, and now it is back-firing.
Here is a possible alternative to consider:
Make the course a requirement for ALL freshmen, perhapss part of the FYE course. I believe that everyone would benefit from such a course, regardless of their BMI. And I think that having it their freshman year could impact their entire college experience in a positive way.
I'm unfamiliar with the current requirements for athletics courses, but perhaps those also need to be stepped up, at least for anyone who is not involved in extracurricular athletics. The benefits of exercise and proper nutrition are huge and even life-saving,and I certainly do not think that Lincoln University should simply ignore the fact of America's number one health issue, obesity.
Susan Pevar
Special Collections Librarian
Langston Hughes Memorial Library
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Susan Pevar

posted 11/23/09 @ 10:51 AM EST

I saw the tail end of the story on Fox News this morning -- not enough to judge whether they reported the issue accurately, so I hope I will have a chance either on TV or online to see the whole thing.
The requirement got passed by faculty in the first place as a move to help Lincoln students, but I don't think it was well thought out, and now it is back-firing.
Here is a possible alternative to consider:
Make the course a requirement for ALL freshmen, perhapss part of the FYE course. I believe that everyone would benefit from such a course, regardless of their BMI. And I think that having it their freshman year could impact their entire college experience in a positive way.
I'm unfamiliar with the current requirements for athletics courses, but perhaps those also need to be stepped up, at least for anyone who is not involved in extracurricular athletics. The benefits of exercise and proper nutrition are huge and even life-saving,and I certainly do not think that Lincoln University should simply ignore the fact of America's number one health issue, obesity.
Susan Pevar
Special Collections Librarian
Langston Hughes Memorial Library
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Darryl Porta

posted 11/23/09 @ 11:15 AM EST

Health Issues worldwide have gotten far out of hand. No one can ever put a stop to people falling ill from anything. The Smoking Ban is a farce, the number of people that actually die of smoking related illness a year is hardly mearsurable compared to overall population. Now we expect FAT students to take a course or risk losing their Diplomas. What next, the world is the way we made it, fast food, sitting at a desk all day at a computer, kids and video games, more inventions to make life sedentary, people aren't about to turn back now and companies aren't about to stop bringing out new products. "So Face It People", health issues will always be around, we will never cure illness or slow it down to any noticable extent. Just like Global Warming, there is no turning back now.
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CS

posted 11/23/09 @ 2:33 PM EST

This is disgusting. It is not the university's place to make this decision. It's discriminatory and unfair. Either everyone should have to take the class, or no one should. I wonder if obese students made to take this course could sue... I recommend someone look into it, because this is absolutely a form of discrimination. One person's obesity affects no one else. This seems to me to be similar to straight people who don't think gays should be allowed to marry. It's about forming an opinion about someone else's lifestyle and then imposing it on them. The administration should be ashamed of them themselves.
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Ayanna McNeill

posted 11/23/09 @ 9:41 PM EST

As a Lincoln Alum, I am torn with this situation. On one hand I think that something needs to be done to address the health issues that African Americans as a whole face. However I think it is ridiculous to require individuals with BMI over 30 to have to take a mandated health class or withhold their EARNED degree. Did you know that a person who is 5'5 and 180 pounds has a BMI of 30, and the average weight of a woman is 167. So this target population should not be the only ones REQUIRED to take an additional course. When I was a student at Lincoln University I had to have 121 credits in order to graduate and I earned every single one. Of those credits I took a wellness class and life time sports as a requirement for all students. I did not have to take an additional class and my BMI is over 30. I also think it is absolutely absurd to stifle graduates in the name of health awareness and yet the cafe serves burgers, fries, and pizza EVERY SINGLE DAY. There is no healthy alternative; there is McDonald's down the street and Chinese the other way. And right next to the cafe is Sudexho Grill with KFC chicken and smoothies. So I pose the questions, who actually supported this mandated class? Was it agreed upon with the incoming freshmen of 2006? And why doesn't Lincoln practice what it preaches? Stop serving burgers and then pushing health classes down people's throats. What's next an extra African American course for the Caucasian students? Ha!

Ayanna
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Airis Smallwood

posted 11/24/09 @ 10:10 AM EST

Ayanna, I agree with you.

Ok, Lincoln. I applaud your efforts for actually trying to care about the students in your own way. But you are a bunch of hypocrites. Students have been complaining about lack of healthy food choices at Lincoln for decades. It has become the Lincoln tradition. So, instead of you spending money to start a health campaign on campus..you know special programs like maybe weight watchers or some kind of weight loss/healthy living program..you do it exactly what a cheap skate would do..you create a required class and make the students and student's parents pay their hard owned money for this bull crap? I have an idea..how about a black studies class...oops I forgot we don't have a BLACK STUDIES program! How about an extra research class..oops we don't have a LIBRARY! Come on Lincoln, are you seriously trying to justify this cause? It's a lost one. How the hell are you going to have somebody take a fitness class and then give them no choice but to eat pizza, fried chicken and cheeseburgers in that nasty cafeteria? Better yet, tell them they have to work out in that piece of gym with equipment that does not work? When I was at Lincoln, at one point in time there was working treadmill. GET IT TOGETHER! If you are going to have a cause, go all the way through with it! Have special programs for students to advantage of.. In my opinion Lincoln Family, you have got bigger fish to fry. Let's get a library first, and then we can talk about this crap.



Originally posted by

Ayanna McNeill

 As a Lincoln Alum, I am torn with this situation. On one hand I think that something needs to be done to address the health issues that African Americans as a whole face. However I think it is ridiculous to require individuals with BMI over 30 to have to take a mandated health class or withhold their EARNED degree. Did you know that a person who is 5'5 and 180 pounds has a BMI of 30, and the average weight of a woman is 167. So this target population should not be the only ones REQUIRED to take an additional course. When I was a student at Lincoln University I had to have 121 credits in order to graduate and I earned every single one. Of those credits I took a wellness class and life time sports as a requirement for all students. I did not have to take an additional class and my BMI is over 30. I also think it is absolutely absurd to stifle graduates in the name of health awareness and yet the cafe serves burgers, fries, and pizza EVERY SINGLE DAY. There is no healthy alternative; there is McDonald's down the street and Chinese the other way. And right next to the cafe is Sudexho Grill with KFC chicken and smoothies. So I pose the questions, who actually supported this mandated class? Was it agreed upon with the incoming freshmen of 2006? And why doesn't Lincoln practice what it preaches? Stop serving burgers and then pushing health classes down people's throats. What's next an extra African American course for the Caucasian students? Ha!

Ayanna
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Susan Pevar

posted 11/24/09 @ 9:29 PM EST

I found the Fox News interview online, and after watching it and hearing Dr. DeBoy's statements, I understand that my earlier proposal to require all students to take the course is currently impossible because of a lack of resources. That's unfortunate, because it sounds like a really worthwhile course that all could benefit from.

The problem seems to be that it is a requirement for some, based on BMI, which makes it "discriminatory", so here's another approach. The university can offer it to whatever number of students they can accommodate in the program, but give preference to those in the high-risk group who choose to take it. Obviously it has to be "marketed" in a way that will appeal to students. Hopefully, those who need it most will have the brains to take advantage of it, but if not, others can take the available slots and reap the benefits.

A lot of people have commented on the necessity of offering healthy, nutritious food, and if that is not already happening in the cafeteria then, obviously that has to be addressed as well.
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Susan Pevar

posted 11/24/09 @ 9:37 PM EST

Hmmm....I meant to post the link to the Fox interview so that people could check it out, but it got linked to my name, so I don't know if people will even notice it! So here it is....

http://video.foxnews.com/11857596/too-fat-to-graduate
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Mondo Estupido

posted 11/25/09 @ 11:56 AM EST

That's a world-class decision by a world-class university.
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Robert Haig

posted 11/25/09 @ 6:06 PM EST

Rather than use BMI they should require a fitness test to grant exemption from the fitness class. Multiple types of measurements, combine the scores, set the bar at an attainable level. Otherwise, take the class.
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Joey Toto

posted 11/26/09 @ 9:55 PM EST

I'm a student at Lincoln University and if the University is so worried about the students BMI then, why do they have a "KFC" on campus and why do they have very limited hours for the students to use the weight room?
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Nancy Hill

posted 11/27/09 @ 4:02 PM EST

I could not believe my eyes when watching the video about this. Does the University have a 'fat police' who monitor the students and do they only pick out the ones that appear to be overweight? What about the anorexics that fall outside of the normal BMI and the football players that probably do too? Are they required to take the class or do they get a free pass? This is clearly discrimination.

I remember being taught about healthy eating all throughout my pre-college years. And having health issues drummed into us all our lives I would assume most students already know they have a higher BMI and what they can do to try to correct that. However, there are many other factors that lead to a high BMI besides overeating, just as there are health issues that lead to low BMI as well, but this guideline is not focused on that.
I for one would not encourage ANYBODY to attend a college with such atrocious requirements, if not a requirement for everyone.
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Mike

posted 11/30/09 @ 5:46 PM EST

I'm not a student at Lincoln - heard about this controversy on CNN.com. This is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard and is borderline discriminatory. What are they going to do next - have students who smoke take a smoking cessation class before they can graduate?
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PJ

posted 12/01/09 @ 8:43 AM EST

Do professors, administrators and all other university staff also have to abide by this BMI standard in order to remain employed?
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Survivor3306

posted 12/01/09 @ 12:54 PM EST

There are several ways to look at this. In my mind, this policy is a form of blackmail. If Lincoln threatened to withhold my degree and kill it if I didn't agree to pay hundreds of dollars for this humiliating course, then I would agree to their demands. But I guarantee you that as soon as I received my degree, I would inform the alumni association that they should expect no future financial support. I am not in habit of supporting blackmailers and I would make certain they understood that I would never send Lincoln a dime.
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ceebee

posted 12/04/09 @ 4:35 AM EST

Unreal. The rules/requirements should be for everyone. Not for a specific class or target. That's discrimination.

Schools in general are just a joke and a waste of money. Schools are nothing but broken promises and dreams. They teach people nothing of real value. The only thing schools teach is how to be subservient under a "one world government". No free thinking, no creativity, no independence in schools.

Better off using the internet for learning and education. You learn a lot more than being inside the box. A degree/diploma is nothing but a piece of paper.
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