Lincoln University Taking Flak For Obesity Policy

Should universities be allowed to require that students attend these courses?

Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, USA has taken a proactive step to beat the obesity epidemic which is breaking out in universities all over the country. Their initiative requires that all overweight undergraduates have to take part in a compulsory fitness course in order to be allowed to receive their degrees.

Lincoln University has above average statistics for obesity and diabetes overall and this is especially prevalent in the African American students. Mr. James DeBoy who heads the Lincoln Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation said that he felt "an obligation" to deal with this problem and was aware that there was going to be some criticism of the compulsory fitness course policy.

Many obese students said that the authorities had no right to deny them their university degrees and preach to them about their weight. They said it was unfair to only make the obese students take the fitness course and that all students should be treated the same irrespective of their weight. The initiative does not mean that university students who are obese will not get their degrees but it will just make it compulsory for them to turn up at the fitness classes which are designed to teach them about nutrition as well as undergoing physical activities such as running and weight training.  Other classes would also be organised so that obese individuals understood the connection between obesity, stress levels and sleep.

Should universities be allowed to require that students attend these courses? Should maybe companies also be allowed to insist that their employees get medical help and nutritional advice for weight loss?

At Ukmedix News we have seen a huge amount of research which shows that obese people are discriminated against every single day and that making them attend these courses would only add to their perception that they are being discriminated against yet again, despite the fact that these courses were set up with the best of intentions.

The jury is out, what's your opinion? Tell us below....