Carleton University officials have removed the scale inside its campus gym so students don’t stress about their weight.
The scale was reportedly removed about two weeks ago in an effort to mesh with current health trends that prioritize well being over a focus on weight.
“We don’t believe being fixated on weight has any positive affect on your health and well-being,” Bruce Marshall, manager of health and wellness at the Canadian university, told the Charlatan newspaper. “The body is an amazing machine and even when we are dieting and training it will often find a homeostasis at a certain weight.”
Freshman Samar El Faki told the paper she supports the decision.
“Scales are very triggering,” she said. “I think people [who disagree with taking it out] are being insensitive because they simply don’t understand. They think eating disorders are a choice when they are actually a serious illness.”
Not everyone agrees with the decision. The university “may reconsider” the decision to remove scale after backlash and ridicule, reports CBC News.
Some of the social media comments against the decision include:
“Great policy. Next up, ban calculators because I’m flunking calculus and seeing them triggers me.”
“Next it will be the mirrors. #bringbackthescale”
“Are you for real, Carleton? What a sick joke.”
“The recent move isn’t sitting well with several students who are accusing the school of kowtowing to a small group of gym users who are easily offended,” CBC reports. “Following three days of online backlash from students, Marshall told CBC, ‘we will weigh the pros and cons and may reconsider our decision.'”
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