Lincoln University in Oxford, PA discriminates against students with higher BMI and prevents graduation. Overweight students are labeled as unhealthy and stigmatized, and forced to take generic training that could lead to eating disorders, dangerous yo yo dieting, and emotional trauma - plus violates individual civil rights. Misguided mandatory “help” for overweight and obese students puts these students at risk for serious medical and psychological complications. Based on an invasive medical exam to determine BMI, Lincoln University students considered “overweight” solely by BMI (an inconclusive and often misleading determination), are required to take and pass a “physical education class” including nutrition counseling and exercise to graduate. Though apparently good intentioned, this requirement singles out certain students, in a historically African-American University, and subjects them to stigmatization and does not take into account medical and psychological issues that might impact BMI. Scientific studies are conclusive about the dangers of eating disorders, yo yo dieting, and the mental health impact of stigmatizing people based on physical characteristics such as weight. Learning about healthy nutrition and the benefits of regular exercise is essential for all people, and should begin at an early age, for everyone. This program that targets students with a higher BMI is discriminatory, segregationist, stigmatizing, ignores underlying issues that may have developed by college age, violates individual civil liberties, and ironically excludes people with a lower BMI who have unhealthy healthy eating and exercising habits. Petition to ban this now dangerous mandatory graduation requirement.

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