Carleton University, a Canadian college, has decided to remove the weight scale at its campus gym last week. Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario, says the decision is “in keeping with current fitness and social trends,” according to a sign posted where the scale used to stand.
Bruce Marshall, the manager of health and wellness at Carleton University, said that focusing only on weight could only have a negative impact on students.
“We don’t believe being fixated on weight has any positive effect on your health and well-being,” Marshall said. “The body is an amazing machine and even when we are dieting and training it will often find a homeostasis at a certain weight.”
Furthermore, Marshall added that it can take a long time to see a change in weight.
“It takes weeks, even months to make a permanent change in your weight. So why obsess about it?” he said. “Why not look at other indicators?”
Via The Charlatan:
According to Marshall, other indicators to look at include girth measurements, which can change “dramatically,” without much of a weight change. This involves measuring the circumference of areas such as the torso, legs, and arms to record progress.
He added people can also set goals in terms of cardiovascular fitness and overall strength, instead of only focusing on the number on the scale.
Samar El Faki, a first-year student in the enriched support program, said in a message to the Charlatan that she was appalled at some of the comments. She said she believes removing the scale is a valid request to accommodate people with eating disorders.
“Scales are very triggering,” she said. “I think people are being insensitive because they simply don’t understand. They think eating disorders are a choice when they are actually a serious illness.”
