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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To go to my doctors worried about weight?

32 replies

sillyworrywart · 15/07/2012 18:05

Name-changed for this only because I don't want my paranoia worry associated with my regular username.

I've seen a few threads where people have said that sometimes we are in denial about weight-related matters and our perceptions have changed and it hit home a little. I have some home scales that claim to measure body fat but I know these are sometimes wildly inaccurate and I often get varying measurements so a friend advised me to go to a doctor to get my height/weight/body fat checked by them. DH thinks this is a huge waste of the drs time and I should just be happy as I am.

So I thought I'd ask here if people think it's an unreasonable thing to do?

OP posts:
PenisVanLesbian · 15/07/2012 18:08

Why not go to a chemist with a good scale first, some Boots and other have properly calibrated fancy scales, and can provide BMI charts and so on. Then if you are worried about your results, you can see a doctor then.

monkeyspiss · 15/07/2012 18:09

Sounds like a complete waste of a Dr's time to me.

Are you actually worried about your weight? If so, perhaps make an appt with a dietician?

hugandroll · 15/07/2012 18:10

I don't think its unreasonable, being either over or underweight and having a high body fat percentage for prolonged periods of time with the associated health problems will cost the NHS more than a check up to determine if you need to change your lifestyle to have a healthy weight and body fat percentage.

KittyFane1 · 15/07/2012 18:11

Don't make an appointment with the doctor but do make an appointment with the practice nurse for a health check. This can include a weight/BMI check.

TeWiDoesTheHulaInHawaii · 15/07/2012 18:11

Are you overweight?

Alameda · 15/07/2012 18:16

you can get some one site calipers and measure your own body fat, is supposed to be accurate to within - I don't know, 1% or something of the flotation method

at least you don't get varying results from them unlike the scales, or ask at your gym, they can do the one with five sites (back, triceps etc) that you can't really do on yourself

OutragedAtThePriceOfFreddos · 15/07/2012 18:18

You are likely to know if you are overweight or not, and I agree that wanting your body fat measured is a huge waste of NHS time.

If you want it done, then pay a personal trainer or find a dietician or something, but it's not worth wasting precious NHS resources for.

If you think you need to lose weight and you are carrying a fair amount of fat, then just lose weight yourself or go to WW.

It is really not worthy of a drs appt.

Original poster
sillyworrywart · 15/07/2012 18:30

This should have gone in my OP I realise - I'm not in the UK, so the NHS is irrelevant.

My BMI as I work it out is between 21.6-22.3 depending on time of the month, I'm not sure whether there really is this big a fluctuation or if it's my scales.

OP posts:
PomBearWithAnOFRS · 15/07/2012 18:32

have a Biscuit for the excellence of that stealth drip boast there.

ToothbrushThief · 15/07/2012 18:34

Yes a visit to discuss your attitude to weight could be useful to you

Alameda · 15/07/2012 18:35

worrying about weight is not the preserve of the truly lardy you know pombear

am going to form a support group for people within normal BMI but unduly anxious about podge

squeakytoy · 15/07/2012 18:36

so what exactly are you worrying about OP Confused.. yes it would be a waste of the doctors time.

Mintyy · 15/07/2012 18:37

It sounds like you have an unhealthy attitude to your weight and your GP (if you can persude him or her) might be able to point you in the direction of some good counselling. I would recommend nlp or cbt (google them) for this sort of non life threatening slightly obsessive disorder.

Original poster
sillyworrywart · 15/07/2012 18:40

pombear It's not a stealth boast... I feel bigger and flabbier than I should be and given the attitude of a lot of people seems to be that BMI can be generous I'm unsure what that actually means in practise.

Using the scandinavian scale someone posted on here in another thread (height in cm - 110), I'm 5+kg above the ideal, which is a bit of a difference to the BMI result. I heard that body fat was a better thing to use as a judge than basic weight, which is why I'd like to know my body fat %. I think it's also pretty difficult to be truly objective about yourself which is why I'd welcome a professional opinion.

OP posts:
SoleSource · 15/07/2012 18:41

Alameda You are fattist

Mintyy · 15/07/2012 18:41

Like I said, slightly obsessive.

RuleBritannia · 15/07/2012 18:41

From the figures you gave and according to the internet, you are a 'healthy' weight. What are you worried about? I just wish I were somewhere near your weight. I'd be able to use the clothes in my wardrobe.

Alameda · 15/07/2012 18:44

I'm not fattist! I've been fat. I don't care about it on other people, only on my own body.

TeWiDoesTheHulaInHawaii · 15/07/2012 18:46

Yes, go and talk to your doctor.

monkeyspiss · 15/07/2012 18:47

I don't know where you live, or how well equipped the GPs (or equivalents) are in your country. But I'd be surprised if a GP in the UK had access to fat calipers or was trained in using them.

I'd be surprised if they had a handheld body fat monitor too, actually. And they aren't known for being particularly accurate and would (I assume) use the same technology as your scales.

But, as I say, I don't know where you live. Do you see a GP equivalent when you make a Dr's appointment or could you make a specialist appointment?

You left a lot of stuff out of your OP.

akaemmafrost · 15/07/2012 18:47

Christ on a bike, its really odd on here today.

I think we are being raided by a load of trolls purposely posting about ridiculously insignificant issues to get us all in a lather.

Not sure why Confused.

SecretPlace · 15/07/2012 18:47

Why on earth would you waste the doctors time with this.

It's not hard to know whether you're in shape or not.

MindTheElephant · 15/07/2012 18:48

Yes your DH is right its a huge waste of the Drs time.

It's not the weight, BMI issue that is the problem but what is going on in your head. Maybe seek some help for that instead.

catgirl1976 · 15/07/2012 18:52

Alameda You are fattist

No, no........you are fattest

Grin

OP I would see your doctor about your pressing need of a grip, but not to have your flab measured. Get to a gym for that.

TalkinPeace2 · 15/07/2012 18:56

OP
On one of the Tonga threads I posted about how as part of a Medical research project I had a full body Ultrasound scan that recorded by Body Fat at 32%.
As I have a BMI of 23 I was a bit surprised by this as many of the websites say that is way above average.

So I did a bit more research.
Those body fat scales are WILDLY innacurate and vanity products.
One of the online tests I found said I was 16%. Utter bilge.

Work out your BMI - the BBC link is as good as any.
If your BMI is over 28, nothing in the way of adjustments for wrist size will take away the fact that you need to lose weight.
Once your BMI is safely under 25, THEN worry about fat distribution.
Do not waste NHS resources telling you the blindingly obvious.