Too fat to graduate college?

[detbuch]

Originally Posted by JohnnyD

This Pennsylvania college requires their students to have their BMI tested and those that are over 30%, have to take an additional course that meets 3 hours per week.

With high schools scaling back their Phys Ed requirements, a lot of kids these days aren't getting the physical education they may need to help them lead a healthy life. A widely accepted statistic is that over 50% of the US is overweight (I think that number might be closer to 60% now) and we're on track for a 50% obesity rate within 5-10 years.

A misconception with the schools program is that the students have to lose a certain amount of weight to graduate, which I believe is false. My understanding from the article is there is a requirement to complete the course.

What do you guys think? Link below.

College's too-fat-to-graduate rule under fire - CNN.com

It sounds, from reading the article, that you are right about students not having to lose weight, but only that those with high BMI must take the course. The student who objected to being part of those singled out because of their physical condition may have a point--why not have all students take the class since the information might be some of the most important they get in influencing the quality of the rest of their life.

[JohnnyD]

Originally Posted by detbuch

It sounds, from reading the article, that you are right about students not having to lose weight, but only that those with high BMI must take the course. The student who objected to being part of those singled out because of their physical condition may have a point--why not have all students take the class since the information might be some of the most important they get in influencing the quality of the rest of their life.

This was briefly addressed in the article. The school would like for all students to take the class, but doesn't have enough funding to support it at the moment.

In the Men's Health last month (or maybe the one before), there was a study relating increased grades with students that began working out. This has the potential to no just improve their health, but also their grades and future job prospects.

[basswipe]

The only requirement for graduating should be academic.Anything beyond this is something that should be taught at home from the beginning.

PC'ness rears its ugly head again.

[Jimbo]

I don't understand the whole phys ed idea in our district at all. No idea what they do in high school anymore. The middle school kids have "cycles" during the year now, which phys ed is part. So a kid might have 8 weeks straight of phys ed, but if the next cycle is study hall, they get 8 weeks of nothing physical to replace it, and if the cycle following that is health, well that's 8 more weeks of no physical anything (except the sex-ed part which does get their little hearts racing a little).
On top of phys ed in schools, I feel we're constantly hammered by what kids get to eat in school and and what they should bring in to eat. We pack my kid the healthy lunch she asked for and she freely admits she tosses most of it. When she does buy it's chicken nuggets and french fries, and sometimes just the fries. The whole table buys fries and them make a big pile in the middle of the table for anyone to grab a handful. Mmmm healthy and sanitary. She said the only thing the teachers and aides say is, "Keep your voice down and don't make a mess," and "Don't lean back in your chair."
Any place you see kids hanging out anymore, it's obvious more than half could stand to lose a few pounds.

[JohnnyD]

Originally Posted by basswipe

The only requirement for graduating should be academic.Anything beyond this is something that should be taught at home from the beginning.

PC'ness rears its ugly head again.

What exactly is the "PC'ness" in this?

Actually, the politically correct way to go about it would be to state that all people should be accepted as they are, regardless of their weight. Fat chicks need lovin' too, no?

Nice try though.

[buckman]

Originally Posted by JohnnyD

Fat chicks need lovin' too, no?

That's why God invented beer JD

[Jimbo]

On the other side of the coin, with the exception of the class that entered in 2006 when they started the campaign, and therefore might have a valid reason to argue it, any student entering in subsequent years would have (or should have) been informed of the BMI policy. If he or she didn't like it then they shopuld not have applied there. If he or she got fat there after they enrolled, don't badmouth it and say there's something wrong with the policy, or like many will do these days, use the , "Oh I didn't know it applied to me" excuse. Instead say, "S#!&, I am fat, thanks for helping me deal with it."
I graduated from a small school in PA that like many have a community service requirement prior to graduating. My fraternity was assigned the State School. I bitched and moaned and when I finally got involved in it, it turned out to be one of the most rewarding experiences I had in my four years of college. I would strongly disagree with anyone who said college should just be about academics and I think that goes for high school, middle school and elementary schools, also.

[The Dad Fisherman]

Originally Posted by basswipe

The only requirement for graduating should be academic.Anything beyond this is something that should be taught at home from the beginning.

Yep.....People go to college for a degree....Thats It

[JohnnyD]

Originally Posted by The Dad Fisherman

Yep.....People go to college for a degree....Thats It

People also have numerous choices as to where they go for that degree.

[Joe]

I'm surprised any college would add any obstacle that could damage admissions.

College at the usual age does more for an individual than just provide an education. People will tell you that the experience of moving away and breaking with the people from home makes for a more poised, confident adult. It's true for the most part. I went as an adult and I could see a major distinction between 21 year-old seniors and people close to that age that I worked with.

[JohnnyD]

Originally Posted by Joe

I'm surprised any college would add any obstacle that could damage admissions.

College at the usual age does more for an individual than just provide an education. People will tell you that the experience of moving away and breaking with the people from home makes for a more poised, confident adult. It's true for the most part. I went as an adult and I could see a major distinction between 21 year-old seniors and people close to that age that I worked with.

A policy like this may decrease the number of applicants, but over the long run, improve the school overall. Fostering a campus-wide air of healthy habits can make students healthier, perform better in classes and potentially have weight in the hiring process.
Human Resources Person: "Both these candidates are equally qualified with similar experience and GPAs, but this person graduated from XXXX school which encourages healthy lifestyles and further motivates their students."

Having just gone through 30 interviewees for 2 positions a few months ago, every little bit helps someone stand out.

Also, the nice thing about being a private institution is that they can essentially do just about whatever they want within reason.