College classrooms - not physically friendly to students who are obese

More students who are obese and overweight attend college today. Based on NHANES, obesity rates for adolescents has increased continuously from 5.0% in 1976-80 to 18.1% in 2007-08. A national survey found more college students obese in 1999 (8.4%) than in 1994 (5.0%). Meanwhile, seating/desks in classrooms have not significantly changed in size/style since the 1970s. Purpose: to evaluate classroom accommodations for students who are obese Methods: Seating number and type in all classrooms at a large Midwestern public university was categorized a priori as amphitheater (AMP), conference (CONF), table/row (ROW), and single desk (SNGL). Comfortable waist circumference (WC) for seating was determined as g(distance between back of desk to seat back). Results: 270 classrooms ranged from 10 to 418 seats; X±SD 58.0+58.6. Classification: 16.7% AMP; 6.7% CONF; 20% ROW; 56.6% SNGL. All AMP seats had arms/sides and flip-up desks; calculated WC: 38.5". SNGL desks with molded one-piece seats provided less room than those with separate seat and back (calculated WC: 35.4" and 51.1", respectfully.) All AMP and 15.5% SNGL classrooms included 2-6 table/chair seats, complying with ADA. Discussion: NHANES 2003-04 report WC for men and women, age 20-29 yr as 37.04±0.04 and 34.84±0.51, respectively. AMP and some SNGL classrooms could be uncomfortable and difficult to negotiate, except for the few table/chairs provided. Few medium/small classrooms provided this optional seating. Students learn best when treated with respect. Obesity is an accepted discrimination in the classroom rectifiable by incorporating more tables/chairs into all classrooms to better accommodate students who are obese.