Do some doctors just get a kick out of telling you to lose weight?

Being a healthy weight helps with overall health though, so he was right to mention it. I don’t know why people get so prickly about it. If you’re overweight, you’re overweight.

Well if they are fat then they should really take the advice.

This. Unless you work in a GP surgery you have no idea how the computer system works and the amount of boxes they need to do.

No I don’t think doctors get a kick telling patients they need to lose weight. They care and want their patients to be healthy but Surely it’s the same if they are suggesting you need to cut down in drinking or alcohol? It’s irrelevant if he’s overweight. You’re defensive and being sensitive because you use to be fat. It’s the same as people being defensive when the doctor says you need to do XZY to be healthy.

Telling people over and over to lose weight isn't 'helping.' You must know that as a medical professional, surely???

What I actually needed was some kind of genuine healthcare and support from my GP or nurse.
I was still shell shocked from urgent significant surgery (with no help from GP because “I’m under hospital teams now”) and then the unexpected diagnosis.
I entirely disagree that what I received was in any way suitable.
I can only assume you’ve never been in the position, that you think signposting is what I needed.
or box ticking

Not in the NHS in the UK 🙄

I went to the GP about irregular periods when I was TTC and the GP did seem a bit gleeful when telling me losing weight could help. I had a BMI of 26 or 27 and didn’t think that was that overweight so was really offended.

But I did lose weight and my periods became more regular. It was the first time I’d really seen how weight directly impacts health so
am really mindful of it now.

I hate this, I am overweight and I do anything to avoid the nurses in particular, last time the nurse was bigger than me and advised me to walk more, I don't bloody drive and had just walked 40 minutes to get to the appointment 🙄

How is that wasting time? Whether you smoke, how much you drink and your mental health are all things that could easily change in the course of a year. It would be ridiculous (and negligent) to assume that someone who wasn't depressed and was teetotal in 2021 could not have developed depression and increased their alcohol intake by 2025.

It's not like they're asking you if an amputated limb has grown back.

Doctors have to tell you. They have to follow the guidelines. Don’t personalise it - they’re paid to do their job, just like anyone else.

I can remember years ago, I was told I was overweight because I was 9.5 stones, they didn't take my height into account, I'm 5'10", I would be overweight if I was 5'2" or something like that

This is so short sighted. If a clinician is overweight themselves they probably cringe when giving this advice, but being overweight themselves doesn't make it any less valid.

A lot in the NHS are overweight so they obviously don't practice what they preach

I’m a GP and after reading the outrage repeatedly on MN about clinicians who dare to advise weight loss, I rarely mention it now. Patients can just stay fat. Not my problem. I’d like to help but I know from MN that any discussion about weight is seen as being hugely offensive. One of my patients recently died as a direct result of her morbid obesity. It’s a shame we can’t discuss it without risking such fury. Smokers are far easier to deal with. They expect advice and they just take it without arguing the toss.

But they'd have to believe you were telling the truth and as you well know, plenty of patients don't.

This goes for how much they eat, drink or smoke.

People pretend they're already doing something about it in the hope they'll close any conversation down.

With that in mind, doctors will tell you what they need to regardless.

It's not personal, unlike your comments about his body.

Being rude is not part of a nurses job, they need to apply manners if they want to be see as professionals, I showed her the same level of respect she showed me

@Springersrock did you have a double appointment for your HRT, diet discussion, and shoulder problem? Or was it a “while I’m here doctor….”

What would these docs do if BMI was eradicated. Couple of months ago I went to a diabetes support group meeting and they were saying bmi might be wiped out but I don’t really know how true that is as one of the other attendees was like you have an nhs eat well plate poster out of date!

I remember when in hospital one of the ward doctors had to specially come back to ask if I was a smoker.

I so cheekily wanted to say yes 30 benson & hedges please! and wheel me round the car park whilst you are at it. (never attempted to smoke.)

I even once had a GP help insist there was no reason for me to go on statins, if it had been left up to the diabetic nurses I would have been.

Most professionals have kindly never mentioned my weight to my surprise, the only one that has done in the past said with it but you are on a lot of medication so I kind of see their point. Sorry this happened to you OP.

I think the Dr could have spoken better, i.e. "It is great what you are doing with losing weight, and continuing with that will certainly help".

In general, fat Docs and nurses, and this concept of "fat-shaming" doesn't change the fact that that maintaining a healthy BMI will help with so many conditions and help prevent a lot of others. As much as people might not want to hear it, especially when the person delivering it is overweight themselves, it is great advice.

I’m the opposite I weigh much heavier than I look. I have a waist and a thigh gap and thin ankles. And you can see my ribs but have a BMI of 28. BMI really only works for average people. I think they need to come up with a much better way of assessing you.

I can't believe you never get weighed at a doctor visit. It is done every single time you visit a doctor in the US, and your blood pressure and blood oxygen taken.

I had pregnancy induced hypertension that was related to a pre-existing endocrine condition.
When my endocrinologist saw me for a review 12 mnths after DS was born he said I needed to lose weight. Suggested I tried the gym, I was back working full time ( self employed) with a young child. I didn’t say anything, resisted the temptation to make a sarcastic comment.
Twelve months later I was back for my annual check up. His first comment was about how much weight I’d lost, I hadn’t, so he said that it must be down to being more toned and that muscle weighs more than fat. I suppose running around after a toddler is good exercise.
I still had high blood pressure and asked my GP if losing weight would lower it. She smiled and said no. My BP is not the result of being overweight but is related to my endocrine problem.
I am currently losing weight and the HCA at my last review congratulated me on my progress.
Now I have to motivate myself to exercise more. My DS is now 20 and life has not been easy over the last few years. I’m determined to hit normal BMI by the end of this year. I have about 20lbs to go.

This.

DS is a doctor (in the US) and part of his 'bedside manner' training included how to tactfully broach the subject.