"Fat-Course" Discourse

By ACSH Staff — Dec 07, 2009

Two weeks ago, Dispatch mentioned that Lincoln University in Pennsylvania considered requiring that clinically obese students take a "Fitness for Life" course before they could graduate. According to the Associated Press, "faculty nixed the idea this week amid complaints the so-called 'fat course' undermined a school principle of equal treatment." "They had good intentions in mind, but apparently that was not the way to handle it," says Dr. Whelan. "If you're going to require obese students to take a health course, why not do the same cigarette smokers?"

Two weeks ago, Dispatch mentioned that Lincoln University in Pennsylvania considered requiring that clinically obese students take a "Fitness for Life" course before they could graduate. According to the Associated Press, "faculty nixed the idea this week amid complaints the so-called 'fat course' undermined a school principle of equal treatment."

"They had good intentions in mind, but apparently that was not the way to handle it," says Dr. Whelan. "If you're going to require obese students to take a health course, why not do the same cigarette smokers?"

"Good intentions don't serve as a justification for this kind of discrimination," says Dr. Ross. "The point is that this misguided program stigmatized obese students. While the intention may have been to help them, the method was inappropriate. We're glad they rescinded the rule."