Columbia, SC — Kudos to all those who are concerned about food stamp money purchasing empty calories. We know that healthful eating habits, learned in our youth, pay big dividends throughout life. Now how about addressing the second big factor in the state’s weight problems, namely the lack of exercise?

I propose a state law that mandates a comprehensive program of exercise fitness aimed at every student in our state-funded colleges. Coaches would be hired and advanced on the basis of their success at enticing every student to develop a healthful, sustainable, enjoyable habit of daily physical exercise. A simple computer verification system would track coaching success.

The mandate would require that the lifetime fitness coaching staff receive the same total salary budget as the coaching staff of all intercollegiate competition coaching staff members. Why not?

Richard C. Massey

Columbia