1. Welcome to Baptist Board, a friendly forum to discuss the Baptist Faith in a friendly surrounding.

    Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to all the features that our community has to offer.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!

Selective Educational Requirement for College Graduation

Discussion in 'Health and Wellness' started by Benjamin, Nov 30, 2009.

  1. Benjamin

    Benjamin Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Oct 6, 2004
    Messages:
    8,423
    Likes Received:
    1,160
    Faith:
    Baptist
    http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/11/30/lincoln.fitness.overweight/index.html
     
  2. Johnv

    Johnv New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2001
    Messages:
    21,321
    Likes Received:
    0
    This isn't news. Most colleges have a PE requirement. Mine did. In my case, the least physically active option was circuit training, which is the class I took. It required meeting certain health goals, including completing a circuit three times per week. If a student can't do that because they're fat, it's not the school's fault. It's no excuse. I've seen lots of overqeight people at the gym that could run circles around me on a track.

    Having classes based on BMI or weight is no different, imo, than having different classes based on proficiency or aptitude. Unusual, yes, but inappropriate, no.
     
  3. Benjamin

    Benjamin Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Oct 6, 2004
    Messages:
    8,423
    Likes Received:
    1,160
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Is anything news to you? Might be to some.

    Yes, it being selective off the BMI is unusual. Agreed, not inappropriate.
     
  4. StefanM

    StefanM Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Jul 4, 2004
    Messages:
    7,333
    Likes Received:
    210
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Not necessarily. Despite its causes, obesity is a medical condition.

    Should the university require underweight students to take nutrition classes?
     
  5. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
    Administrator

    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2003
    Messages:
    38,982
    Likes Received:
    2,615
    Faith:
    Baptist
    I would say yes!

    and while they are at it, all colleges (including Christian) should off a personal finance course.
     
  6. Johnv

    Johnv New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2001
    Messages:
    21,321
    Likes Received:
    0
    So what? So is alcoholism, but that that doesn't mean that colleges should cater to drunks. PE is a degree requirement. It shouldn't be excused because a person is obese.
    That's a good idea. I believe that it's one of the PE options in some colleges. It was in mine.
    One of the general education requirements is 3 or 6 units of business. One of the classes that fulfills the requirement is personal finance. I took it. It was a great course.
     
    #6 Johnv, Nov 30, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 30, 2009
  7. StefanM

    StefanM Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Jul 4, 2004
    Messages:
    7,333
    Likes Received:
    210
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Why should a (state-funded) university be the "nanny" requiring its ADULT students to take courses based on individual medical conditions?

    I have no problem with a universal requirement that does not discriminate. I don't think exercise classes do much good, but I can't object if it's not discriminatory.

    I would have no problem with a personal finance requirement, if required of all students. Now, if we started targeting people based on income, then I say no way!
     
  8. StefanM

    StefanM Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Jul 4, 2004
    Messages:
    7,333
    Likes Received:
    210
    Faith:
    Baptist
    There is a difference between catering to drunks and forcing individuals to take courses based on medical condition.

    If EVERYONE is required to take a PE course, I have no problem with the requirement. I just don't see the value in segregating students into the "fat" class.
     
  9. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
    Administrator

    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2003
    Messages:
    38,982
    Likes Received:
    2,615
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Because, it a student/graduate dies shortly after school, then that has been a waste of taxpayer money.

    Besides the purpose of college is to learn, and nothing unreasonable should be avoided.

    The problem we have in this country is a lack of responsibility and the fact we expound on "my personal rights"

    Salty
     
  10. StefanM

    StefanM Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Jul 4, 2004
    Messages:
    7,333
    Likes Received:
    210
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Then should we refuse to educate those with major illnesses? (congenital heart diseases; diabetes, cancer, etc)

    Just because something is good to learn doesn't mean that we should require it. There is a point at which you have to cut off subjects. Nevertheless, I have no problem with requiring all students to study a subject. I have a major problem with only requiring people with medical conditions to do so.
     
  11. Johnv

    Johnv New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2001
    Messages:
    21,321
    Likes Received:
    0
    What you're missing is that obesity is caused by a person's actions (moving too little, eating too much). It's those actions that cause the medical condition.
    Class placement based on BMI for PE is no different than placement based on score, aptitude, or proficiency. In fact, putting someone in a class that's specific to their current condition typically results in a better class experience, not a worse one.
     
  12. StefanM

    StefanM Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Jul 4, 2004
    Messages:
    7,333
    Likes Received:
    210
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Many medical conditions have antecedent causes. This is something a doctor should address with the individual, not the university.

    We must consider the stigma of obesity in American society as well.

    At what point do we stop?

    Should we administer psychometric examinations and prescribe psychology courses for those with tendencies toward mental illnesses?
     
  13. Johnv

    Johnv New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2001
    Messages:
    21,321
    Likes Received:
    0
    Then, if a student has a medical condition which precludes the ability to complete a class, by all means, let that persons' physician issues a doctor's written note saying so. But that's not what's happenning here.
    Being dummer is a stigma as well. Should we abandon aptidude exams as prerequisites for classes?
     
  14. Benjamin

    Benjamin Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Oct 6, 2004
    Messages:
    8,423
    Likes Received:
    1,160
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Why should state-funded colleges not educate our young adults, who at such a young age are obviously beyond a healthy standard of weight, and make this a requirement? This also falls within the finance topic you brought up as they WILL be a burden of health care; I read an article the other day that said type 2 diabetes will double in the next 25 years while the cost of treating it will triple. (Who will end up funding that?)


    I have three questions here: #1. Although it leads to medical conditions, since when is overeating and lack of exercise a medical condition.

    #2. Why is it taboo to teach something that is good for both the individual and society in the whole, even if we only begin by teaching those most affected first because of a lack of facilities to require it for all? (The article addresses this)

    #3. Where were all these obesity medical conditions 40 years ago?
     
  15. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
    Administrator

    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2003
    Messages:
    38,982
    Likes Received:
    2,615
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Well, lets see, only 1 tv per house, kids played outside, no internet, few kids had cars......
     
  16. just-want-peace

    just-want-peace Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2002
    Messages:
    7,727
    Likes Received:
    873
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Far better solution than "classes" after-the-fact!!!
     
  17. Trotter

    Trotter <img src =/6412.jpg>

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2003
    Messages:
    4,818
    Likes Received:
    1
    Faith:
    Baptist
    As a part of the overweight sector, I see this as discrimination.

    Like it or not, the school is targeting overweight people. That's the point , you say. Hogwash. If a school required everyone to take it, fine. but they are not. They are separating out those overweight and forcing them to take a class no one else is required to take. By making the class a condition of graduation the school is going above and beyond "helping" people and instead are harassing them.

    Discrimination against the overweight and obese is the largest sector (no pun intended) of discrimination in the US... and there is nothing done about it. Blacks and other minorities are protected. Women are protected. Even homosexuals are protected. Gotta spare tire? Back of the bus, chubby.
     
  18. Johnv

    Johnv New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2001
    Messages:
    21,321
    Likes Received:
    0
    It's HUGE leap to equate being overqeight with being black, female, etc. You can't change your race or gender. You can change your weight. I don't by the "discrimination" argument. My wife is 40 pounds overweight, and she doesn't buy the "discrimination" argument either. In fact, she favors using BMI as an indicator for which health class one wil be in.
     
  19. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
    Administrator

    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2003
    Messages:
    38,982
    Likes Received:
    2,615
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Well, actually you can change your gender, and Michael Jackson pretty much showed us you can get close to changing your race.

    But anyways, is making overweight people take those classes considered discrimination - YES -, but lets remember that discrimination in itself is NOT a negative action. Some discrimination is good. For example, how many women believes that men should not be allowed to use the ladies room - if you don't that is (good) discrimination.
    Hope you get my drift.

    Salty

    overweight by 100 pounds according to US Army Standards.
    Not proud of it, just giving you the facts.
     
  20. Johnv

    Johnv New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2001
    Messages:
    21,321
    Likes Received:
    0
    I was REALLY hoping to avoid Michael Jackson and Chastity Bono jokes, but you beat me to it.
    You make a really good point. I remember a job in college I got with a legal firm. They chose me over a person who was slightly more qualified because I was neater in my appearance than the other person. They used how I dressed as a discriminating factor. The other person dressed like a slob.
     
Loading...