A weighty issue for Gulf News readers

Dubai: "Your weight should not be an obstacle in your academic achievements." For 22-year-old fresh graduate Sana Pal, US-based Lincoln University's requirement that overweight students take a fitness course to receive their degree makes no sense.

She said: "My first reaction to the decision was: what is the link between your weight and graduating?"

The university recently announced the new requirement, citing their concerns over high obesity and diabetes rates in the US.

While the UAE is ranked 10th in the list of countries with the most overweight people, according to the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef), many residents felt that such a step would not serve the purpose of tackling obesity. Pal, for instance, feared that the move might lead students to believe they are being discriminated against due to their weight.

‘Don't force'

"There should be other ways to help students — schools can issue guidelines, encourage healthy eating and exercising. Universities could still have a fitness programme for overweight students but they can't force it on students," she said.

Dr Alia Ahmad, an American expatriate and mother of two, said that such steps are already being taken in the US at the elementary and primary school level, and are quite helpful.

She said: "It would definitely be better if fitness courses are introduced in the UAE, too." However, the Dubai-based resident, who is also the spokesperson for the American Academy of Paediatrics in the UAE, stressed the importance of introducing such attitudes early in a child's life.

"Introducing such a course at university level may be too late. It is good to start with the elementary school level. There needs to be some education about healthy living and structured exercise programmes need to be introduced. Testing a child physically is just as important as the written exams..."

She added that such tests are usually kept simple and most students are able to pass easily.

Naresh Gupta, an Indian expatriate and father of two, agreed with the university's decision, saying it would help create a healthier lifestyle among students.

"Such a step should definitely encourage students to lose weight. Being overweight will cause problems for students in the future, when they begin to work. It is better to introduce such fitness courses to allow them to achieve more in life," the 42-year-old Dubai resident said.

Highlighting the issue of obesity in the UAE, Gupta felt that introducing such measures at earlier stages would prove to be more effective. He added that his two children eat healthy.

"A lot of children in the UAE are overweight, which is the cause of many diseases. If such measures are introduced at the high school level, it would be much better."

Do you agree with the university's decision? Would this encourage students to lose weight? What do you suggest could help people overcome this problem?