All this talk about obesity: when was the last time you were weighed by a medical person?

[Finnwood]

I know I must be missing something but ... we're always being told how fat and disgusting we Brits are. How do they know? How often are people weighed in an environment were these statistics will be passed on to the authorities?

Never

I'm weighed most times I go to the doctors.

Also, they have eyes. It's not hard to see that people are obese!

I’m pregnant with dc2 so a few weeks ago when I had my booking appointment.

Outside of pregnancy, I’m sure it was more than 4 years ago at least when I was getting my blood pressure checked for a repeat prescription for the pill.

I'm 46 - twice in the last six years; once for my over 40s healthcheck, and they've started weighing me before my HRT appointment as my blood pressure is a bit high and my weight is too high, and they need to track both.

2 years ago when I was in hospital for an emergency gall bladder removal. Before that, I used to get weighed at each smear appointment (anually for a while) but they haven’t done that the past couple of times.

The last time I was weighed was when I was pregnant with my DS (about 5 years ago). I was pretty pissed off TBH. All was going well with the midwife, then she asked me to step on the scales and she weighed me. Then she took one look at the scales, looked at me and said "well, you're obese". I'm 5'6" and weigh 13 stone. I'm not underweight by any means and I know I weigh too much for my height but I am DEFINITELY NOT obese! Her attitude towards me changed completely. She said, "maybe when you're breastfeeding, instead of eating a donut, eat an apple". I don't eat donuts. I don't know where she got this from, it certainly never came up in conversation!
Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that the medical profession seem to go by BMI which I personally don't agree with. That said, my husband has to have his weight checked every 6 months or so, but that's because he's diabetic. Is this maybe where they get their stats from?

My GP weighs me annually before I’m allowed more HRT.
The practice I belong to is really keen on prevention rather than cure, so seems to like doing regular health checks and telling me that my BMI should be a little lower. Previous practice (different city) only weighed me when pregnant. HOWEVER while I was there I was automatically part of a weight study - a university wrote to everyone in the area (I think) wanting all sorts of details such as weight, height/waist ratio, blood pressure etc.
So I think it depends

Was weighed for my over 45 medical..
My bmi was touching obesity.
I'm now on a life changing health kick

3 years ago when I had a medical examination for a visa application.

Don’t they weigh everyone who goes into hospital for operations under GA? That must be quite a large sample per year.

At least annually at my asthma review.

July, but I get seen by consultants all the time as chronic illnesses. Next time will be next week.

I was weighed in March for a fertility consultation.

Pretty sure women get weighed when they have their pill review?

That is actually a really good question. I can see how kids weight info can be gathered for statistics as they would have health checks etc but adults are not normally weighed unless a part of their medication is dependant on it.

Also, they have eyes. It's not hard to see that people are obese!

I think they take a more scientific approach than looking and thinking "blimey! Finnwood's looking porky"

I know what you mean about where does the statistical information actually come from?

The only time I've ever been weighed is when I'm a medical patient, and I've already got a medical problem so not very mobile.

PLUS the nurse once weighed me in a massive hurry, no time she said to take off winter boots, jumper, hoody etc. She said she'd deduct 2lb for clothes. My winter denim jeans and belt alone weighed 4lb! I weighed the whole lot when I got home because I knew I'd lost weight pre-surgery but she said I'd gained. My clothes and boots weighed over half a stone.

'Don’t they weigh everyone who goes into hospital for operations under GA?'

I think yes, although I've had several ERPCs and never remember being weighed before them, possibly asked what I weigh

I've been weighed in pregnancy and otherwise when I've seen a lung specialist (not sure of the rationale for that one).

@LiveatCityHall

the medical profession seem to go by BMI which I personally don't agree with.

How so?

Are you suggesting that there isn’t an obesity epidemic?

I was weighed by midwife 3 years ago, my BMI says I'm Obese and should of been high risk, but midwife looked at me and said I don't think you look obese or should be classed as high risk, she was very nice but I'm tall so carry weight well.

I was weighed a few weeks ago when I was in hospital and shocked to discover I was nearly a stone more than I thought.
Need to do something about it once my cast comes off.

They use various data.
Gp weight ins
Clothes stores sales
Questionnaires
And more.
These studies usually have number of data sources

Every six months for my medication/general check, every month by my Personal Trainer.

I'm actually coming off Cerazette at the end of this cycle and am slightly disapponted that I won't get my GP's congratulations on the other 2 stone I've lost since I last saw her.

Every 12 weeks at haematology

Oh and I wasn't specifically weighed for a long GA but I guess they had recent weight? I'm a size 16 and they didn't bat an eyelid and said I recovered brilliantly

Oh sorry and the answer to the actual question is at the beginning of my last pregnancy.