Twenty-five seniors at Lincoln University in Oxford, Pa., are in danger of not being able to graduate this spring for failing to show they've lost weight.

As freshman, the students all had BMIs over 30 — the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ threshold for obesity. Four years ago, the school instituted a policy that all students had to have a BMI below 30 or to take a one-semester class called "Fitness for Life," which combines exercise with nutritional instruction and information about the risks of obesity.

Ninety-two students in the class of 2010 had BMIs greater than 30 when they entered Lincoln University as freshman. Most of them took the class or have demonstrated that they lost weight. But when the remaining 25 seniors were notified of their unfulfilled requirement, many students were upset. "I came here to get a degree, and that’s what the administration should be concerned with," said sophomore Louise Kaddie.

Says James L. DeBoy, chair of the university’s health, physical education, and recreation department, "No student should ever be able to leave Lincoln and not know the risks of obesity." He believes the school has a "professional responsibility to be honest and tell students they’re not healthy."

To read the full story, please visit A Different Kind of Test.

Was this article helpful? If so, comment below and let other users know what you think.

Written by :

Karen, Copy Editor

 

TrackBack URI for this entry

Comments (2)

Subscribe to this comment's feed