While most students might support having a few hours cut fromtheir undergraduate requirements, some people are concerned thatthere may be problems when health and fitness classes are cut.
"With the depletion of health and fitness programs at elementaryand high school levels, where and when do you learn to take care ofyourself," said Riki McElroy, aerobics instructor at The Universityof Memphis.
In 2003, the Tennessee Board of Regents decided to cut therequirements for a bachelor's degree from 124 credit hours to 120credit hours, in an effort to accelerate graduation dates for somestudents. The new undergraduate catalogue merged Fine Arts Heritageand Philosophical Heritage to create Humanities, and completelyremoved health and fitness requirements. Before the change, fourhours of fitness and wellness classes were standard in mostmajors.
Some say it is ironic, with obesity being the leading cause ofheart disease and diabetes, that fitness classes are being cut fromgraduation requirements. A study of state health facts done by theHenry J. Kaiser Foundation in 2001, revealed that 37 percent ofadults in Tennessee meet the recommended level of physicalactivity; 35 percent report no physical activity at all; and 56percent of the population is overweight or obese.
McElroy, who has been teaching fitness for 30 years, said thesestudies reflect how society depends on less physical leisureactivities and has replaced exercise with video games and computeruse.
"As a reflection of the general population, a majority ofstudents are a little overwieght," said McElroy.
McElroy also explained that there are a lot of misconceptionsabout how to live a healthy lifestyle.
"Fad diets, diet pills, eating disorders and thinking everyoneshould look as if they belong on the cover of a fashion magazineonly discourages people and turns them back to unhealthy habits,"McElroy said.
Erin Corrigan, graduate student in nutrition and a former healtheducator for the U of M, said the drastic change in lifestylebetween high school and college is often a source of the problemfor many students who end up gaining weight. Corrigan also saidbasic nutrition and health classes can teach students about healthyliving habits, especially during their college years.
"While many students would still choose to live unhealthylifestyles, omitting these classes removes the opportunity forlearning very valuable information," Corrigan said.
The American College of Sports Medicine gives tips for wellnesson their website and advises that a balanced diet, regular exerciseand better time management is the key to maintaining one'shealth.
And just because fitness classes are no longer required doesn'tmean students can't take them as electives.
"Students should explore what is offered in the classes that onthe books, whether they are required or not, and take advantage ofthe Student Recreation Center," said McElroy.
