Is Mandatory P.E. In College What The Students Need Today?
We all have taken P.E., (physical education) throughout our grade school and high school years. We knew to expect taking the class every year. Whether we loved it or dreaded it, we had no choice, we had to take it. But what about when we get into college. Should it still be a requirement then?
Research shows that college students routinely struggle with weight issues. Lincoln University in Pennsylvania took this seriously and required students to take a fitness course if they had body-mass indexes of 30 or above, which indicates obesity. There was a campus revolt, and the university rescinded the requirements.
Some colleges and universities include physical education and other health courses in their required curricula, but none has mandated such classes based on weight. James DeBoy, chair of Lincoln's Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation, says one reason for the plan was to focus limited funds on those most in need. "We didn't have the resources to require all students to take the class, so we wanted to target those who were identified as at risk for obesity-related disease," he says. Ingrid Lofgren, a professor in the University of Rhode Island Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, thinks colleges and universities could do a better job of educating all students about obesity, particularly freshmen who may be regulating their own diets for the first time. "Just because a student's BMI is less than 30 doesn't make him or her immune from becoming overweight. I don't think targeting that one group is going to solve the problem," she says.
It goes back to the home. If the kids did not learn about good nutrition and exercise at home, of course they are lost in college. That is not the time they are going adopt good eating and lifestyle behaviors. Even for the ones who did learn it at home, being away at college brings a whole new challenge.
The late night studying and peer pressure, and freedom! That's enough to break down anyone's resistance. But there are those who do a good job handling it. I wonder how they do it, what the difference is.
Is it that they really care about taking care of themselves? I would like to think so. Maybe for some the novelty of their new freedom and independence will wear off. For others, maybe they have to gain weight and feel bad in order for them to get back on track.
I personally believe that if the kids don't get it at home, they have little chance when they are away from home. The ones that do get it at home at least have a chance.
I am in the process of writing a book teaching good eating and lifestyle habits to very young children. I had planned for it to have been finished already, but I am still working on it. My goal is to make a difference in the lives of children, and for them to grow up being healthy adults. As parents, we have to do this for our children.
I am a virtual Wellness Coach where coaching is by phone from the comfort of your own home. You can sign up for coaching on my website or contact me at mywellnesscoach@verizon.net. Fell free to contact me for a free consultation.
www.MyPersonalWellnessCoach.com
Barbara Leynor
Certified Wellness Coach
P.S. I would love to hear from any parents how your child is doing in college away from home regarding their eating habits.
