Comments on: Too Fat to Graduate?

By: cody

cody — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 06:44:21 +0000

teachers and schools, mind your own business. I am from the old school. You are there to teach the 3 r’s. It is none of your business if they are black, white or weigh a lot.What is a professional thinker? Sure all kids do dumb stuff while growing up, let them learn on their own, as we all did back in the 50’s. Teachers teach, parents parent and the rest of those who think they can change the US of A get a honest job.

By: E. powell MD

E. powell MD — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 02:39:22 +0000

A second short thought and question. What if that on fat student was the one that has in his God given mind the cure for cancer? Something to think about for all of those that see right in this decision. It is better to leave the solution to our society’s obesity problems to the professional thinkers that are working on solutions and not dilutions of our brain trust.

By: E. powell MD

E. powell MD — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 02:19:50 +0000

A mental health problem and law suit just waiting to happen. Not to mention violation of sovereign law. If it was not enough to be Black and looked upon as unequal but to include Black and obese. For all the struggles that Blacks had to overcome, it took Blacks to place another burden on our children. From the jump, we are not making doctors and other much needed professionals and to add how much someone tilt the scales to the equation, equates to that “colored pathological reasoning” in Brown vs. Board of Education. The last place that inequality of any kind should be found is on our Black campuses. Have we as receivers of discrimination in the end be the ones to discriminate. Enough said before venturing into the pathological also.

By: drsardone

drsardone — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 19:49:28 +0000

Although it is never too late to teach solid nutrition and fitness principles, I believe that starting this process in grade school would have a greater influence on overweight and obesity prevention.

Focusing on weight-loss is a mistake however, and education aimed at lifestyle behaviors is golden.

Dr. Sardone, Author of The Naked Truth: Overweight, Overwhelmed and Confused http://www.drsardone.com

By: Makster

Makster — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 07:33:38 +0000

I could’nt agree more. As we’ve discussed before the importance of good childhood habits, this fallows the same line. Schools could help in the physical education to show young people the importance.

I know that the school cuts being made won’t support this way of thinking. That dose’nt bode well for the next generation.IMHO.

By: Elissa

Elissa — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 14:54:27 +0000

My HS experience parallels yours. My kids, however, were only required to take 2 classes (i.e., 2 quarters-worth) over their entire 4 years. My son is currently attending the local CC… he’s in an AA degree program, and – needless to state – there’s no Phys. Ed. requirement whatsoever.

Times have changed, although – in this particular case – I suspect it’s less about “fuzzy thinking” and more about the bottom line. I think HS gym classes have simply fallen prey to budget cuts and mandates imposed by standardized testing. Likewise, colleges have jacked up tuitions and reg fees, as state support has been slowly withdrawn… so students are likely to protest any new requirements that compel them to spend even more money on classes that don’t contribute substantially to their future careers.

Thus, I understand why things are the way they are… so in a sense, I’ve answered the question I posed in the post, above… but I think it has proved to be a “penny-wise, pound-foolish” approach that needs to be re-considered. I’m all for personal responsibility in matters of health/fitness, but when it comes to young people (kids and young adults), they need more guidance from our society than they’re currently getting. The health of our young people is worth investing in, IMHO.

By: Makster

Makster — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 09:17:18 +0000

I agree. Schools today do not stress enough of the importance of physical activity.I realize there are many problems with education today. No one probably cares about physical activity.

When I was in high school, many years ago, we were required to take Phys Ed at least two years. When my son went to high school he was required to take no Phys Ed classes. Matter of fact they only offered one class that had any physical activity at all.

I realize times change, but in this case it seems no to be for the better.