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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is this a waste of their time (and mine?)

26 replies

ReindeerBollocks · 20/03/2011 19:56

I was in hospital on Thursday and Friday of this week, and as part of their admission plan I had to weighed. I am quite small (am just about 5ft tall) and am slim.

They have assessed my BMI according to some stupid tick box and decided that I am seriously underweight, which automatically triggers an appointment with a dietician.

Now, the reason I was in hospital is completely unrelated to my weight and it plays no bearing on the visit AT ALL. I know I eat well and am okay for my height but I am annoyed that I now have to see a dietician to justify having a naturally smaller build.

So am I right feel that this visit is a waste of their time and mine? The nurse was the one who told me it was a stupid system and she thought I looked okay - not dangerously underweight.

OP posts:
onepieceoflollipop · 20/03/2011 19:59

You don't have to see a dietician. They can strongly advise it but you don't have to actually attend. :)

However if you do get an appt then cancel it (if you wish) rather than just not turn up so they can offer it to someone who does want it.

maxpower · 20/03/2011 20:00

what OPOL said

Original poster
ReindeerBollocks · 20/03/2011 20:02

Ooh so I can get out of it? thanks, genuinely didn't know that - will cancel when I get the letter.

Still a bloody waste of time though..

OP posts:
onepieceoflollipop · 20/03/2011 20:03

What did you think would happen if you didn't turn up? Grin They don't turn up on your doorstep in a minibus to whisk you away. Wink

KatieMiddleton · 20/03/2011 20:04

You don't have to take it up but do you think there's a tiny possibility they might have a point?

Your BMI takes your height and weight into consideration so how tall you are will have been factored in.

SueWhite · 20/03/2011 20:05

Yeah just don't bother with it. BMI goes a bit wonky if you are either very short or very tall

MadameCastafiore · 20/03/2011 20:07

If it was your kid being weighed or a child or adult who was neglected this would be a good way to get them into the system - it is not all bad. If you were seriously overweight you would have been referred to which is again a good thing - stopping people becoming seriously obese saves the health service a lot of moeny and saves lives.

YellowDinosaur · 20/03/2011 20:09

I too am 5ft. To have a BMI below 20 (underweight) you have to weigh less than 7 stone 2 pounds which is TINY. Seriously underweight I presume is a BMI below this - ?below 15 I would guess? Which would take you probably to about 6 and a half stone.

It may well be that you have a healthy appetite and are just naturally small but would it do any harm to go along to the appointment? In my experience people often over or underestimate how much they eat.

Your call and you may well be fine but I would be tempted to go and see what they have to say unless it inconveniences you greatly.

Original poster
ReindeerBollocks · 20/03/2011 20:29

Yellow - your very close to my actual weight I'm just over the 6 stone mark. However, I just have a quick metabolism - my mum was exactly the same for many years. I have a wonderful appetite and know what to eat - DS needs a high fat diet so it's not like I live on lettuce there's far too much chocolate temptation in this house!

One piece - I thought it may hinder the actual thing I was in hospital for. So I agreed and just presumed I'd have to go.

I don't think it's a bad idea for vulnerable patients or children to be monitored in this way, but I think it's just a little over zealous to apply it so literally to everyone.

OP posts:
SueWhite · 20/03/2011 20:30

Actually you are only underweight if below 18.5

WinterOfOurDiscountTents · 20/03/2011 20:31

You should listen to them. And whatever you were in for can be related to your weight, everything about your body can be.

No, you don't have to go. But perhaps you should.

bringonthegoat · 20/03/2011 20:33

Being underweight has health implications, just like being overweight. Def not a waste of anyone's time.

Original poster
ReindeerBollocks · 20/03/2011 20:39

I'm not ill though - my procedure was one I chose to have not relating to health.

So this confused me even more. Fair enough if I was unwell but I'm most definitely not. I am just naturally built this way - I've had two children and always just fallen back to this weight (after a reasonable time period).

OP posts:
noodle69 · 20/03/2011 20:41

'I too am 5ft. To have a BMI below 20 (underweight) you have to weigh less than 7 stone 2 pounds which is TINY.'

I am 5 foot 3 and weigh 7 stone 3 pounds. I have quite big boobs last time I was measured I was a 30E but I am less than that now but they are still a decent size and definitely dont look gaunt. Some people are just that size.

If I was you I wouldnt bother going.

noodle69 · 20/03/2011 20:42

Also are all your parents/siblings same size/builds? My parents and brother are despite eating whatever foods they like.

bringonthegoat · 20/03/2011 20:46

Health implications doesn't mean you are ill - maybe apt would do you good to find out what they are Smile

PaperView · 20/03/2011 20:49

They weigh you to accurately prescribe some meds i think.

ThisIsANiceCage · 20/03/2011 20:51

Ooh Reindeer, is this the procedure you've been waiting for? (Remember one of your previous threads.)

All very best of luck, and I wish success and quick recovery all round.

Original poster
ReindeerBollocks · 20/03/2011 20:57

ThisIs - yes but no! It was meant to happen on Friday but didn't. Hopefully will happen sometime in the week (fingers crossed).

Paper view - I am not disagreeing about the weighing - however the tick box that was required on my admission papers automatically triggers the dietician appointment. That's what I disagree with.

My mum and grandmother were the same build.

OP posts:
Flisspaps · 20/03/2011 21:02

Well at just over 5ft, and just over 6 stone, I calculate your BMI to be about 16.

If I were in your shoes, I would take the appointment with the dietician just to see what they say - they may well say that yes, you're doing everything right and it's just your metabolism, or it may be that you think you're eating all the right things - and enough of them - when in fact, you aren't.

What do you have to lose by going?

Original poster
ReindeerBollocks · 20/03/2011 21:07

Just under 5ft and just over 6 stone - they calculated 17.5 (from memory).

I honestly know what a good balanced diet is- I just don't gain weight easily.

I also don't have the time to go - plus I know they will tell me I'm fine.

OP posts:
SueWhite · 20/03/2011 21:10

If you know you eat properly, then it's fine. Genetic build is a big factor in what weight you'll be. If you've been this weight for a long time and conceived two children you are fine.

ThisIsANiceCage · 20/03/2011 21:12

Fingers crossed for you! It must be very frustrating to have things on again / off again, so have a soothing Brew while you wait.

Original poster
ReindeerBollocks · 20/03/2011 21:18

Thanks This Is, I appreciate it - I have to add that I was expecting it to go ahead on Friday (it was cancelled at the last minute) so this issue just annoyed me more!

OP posts:
Original poster
ReindeerBollocks · 20/03/2011 21:20

I thought the same too Sue, which is why a tick box system instead of an assessment is a bad idea.

Clearly I am in the minority, but I'm still not going Grin

OP posts:
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