To expect fat nurses to have some insight?.

[Vikingess]

Just had a routine health check today at my GP surgery. Two nurses - both considerably overweight - dispensing advice on diet. I
am not overweight -AIBU to expect health professionals to demonstrate the the standards they recommended or at least admit to falling short.

Can you not genuinely not think of any reason why nurses might not be able to find time to go to the gym or cook healthy meals from scratch or are you being disingenuous on purpose?;

The nurses would have had to give you the information re: healthy eating etc (part of their job remit) as part of the appointment.

It's like when I have to let my patients know that they should look to quit smoking (everyone knows it's bad for them, but I have to document that I've explained the dangers etc of it and offered them a referral to smoking cessation)....even though I am stating the obvious!

I'm a nurse myself, in my early 40's. I probably look haggard, and I do weigh more than I would like to. I don't smoke or drink and my diet is very healthy. I watch what I eat, I don't add sugar to anything, and I rarely eat sugary things/sweets/chocolates. I'm lucky enough to know how to cook and eat a healthy balanced diet. I'm on my feet all day (I work on a ward). However, PCOS and some awful peri-menopause symptoms has make me gain about 10kg in past 5yrs (I can't think what else it could be as I've always had a good diet). I was very slim in my 20's and up through to my late 30's. Three years of trying to see my GP about this has come to nothing - appointments are almost impossible to come by. I've saved up to see a doctor privately though, so hoping that will help address things.

If someone didn't know me, they might wonder at why a size 14 nurse (me!) is giving them the low down on healthy eating (I have to do that too), but it's part of the job.

So how fat do I need to be before I label myself a "fat nurse"?? 🤔 I'm a bit overweight already, but at what stage do I get the title? I might get a sash made. A really, really big one obviously...

Couldn't give a shiny shite about nurse sizes, what I do care about is that they are thorough, polite and well compensated for their work.

I think I’ll buy this to wear. Will that make you happy OP? Little disclaimer though, the losing it refers to my mental state.

When I was a student nurse in the early 00's one of the staff members on my placement was a grossly overweight nurse, I mean like the type you see on my 600 pound life. She could have only been in her 30s but extremely unhealthy. She would get out of breath just talking to someone and could hardly walk. I'm certain this affected the care she was able to dish out to patients but she was still expected to offer health advice as part of her role.

No but they’re not giving a good impression, or setting a good example either!

Size 14 is not obese!

No but they’re not giving a good impression, or setting a good example either!

Why do you need someone to set you a good example, assuming you’re an adult with capacity to make your own decisions. Nursing staff are employed for their medical knowledge and skills, not their ability to model an exemplary lifestyle. Do you expect the same of other professionals?

It sounds like you’re expecting them to lead by example. It makes sense, really, at least from a logical point of view, like with the dentist example above. You wouldn’t go to a hairdresser who had bad hair, would you?

Where do you draw the line, though? Would you expect a cardiologist to have personal experience of a heart condition? A nursery worker to have their own children? An optician must wear glasses?

Of course not. It has nothing to do with the job they are trained and experienced in. Same with the overweight nurses. They are giving out the advice they are paid to give out, it's just their job.

@BurnoutGP

i wish you were my GP. 🌷

Admit to it? They are admitting to it, by being visibly fat. They have eyes and so do you

Worked in the NHS for many years and as a lone parent definitely did not have the money (or time) to go to the qym! I would call you out on healthy mealtime though. Live on lentil soup, strip fry, jacket spuds etc . All less than half an hour.

There's a whole lot more to nutrition than 'don't eat crisps and cake'.

You're wrong about knowledge not making a difference as well. I've spoken to people who are very misinformed about what constitutes a healthy diet and have made changes due to being given that information that has helped them to lose weight (because they wanted to, not because they were told to).

Of course some overweight people have underlying reasons for their obesity. And those things also need to be addressed. But that doesn't apply to everyone who is overweight.

When I go to the osteopath, he gives me exercises to help me. I don't feel patronised or criticised. He's just doing his job. It's the same with medical staff who offer advice on healthy eating. If you don't want to hear it then just say so, but don't shut down people from offering advice as it may well benefit a lot of people. You being offended by it is your problem.

Every time I’m on the respiratory ward at my local hospital which is unfortunately quite often, I hear the nurses and HCAs talking about going for a smoke after their shift ends. Literally makes zero difference to my life or my health care. If I get good care and good advice, that’s all I need.

I couldn't give a shite about whether a person telling me to lose weight is overweight themselves - I possibly wouldn't even notice. It's fairly objective advice tbh, and the job of nurses is to dispense it, not to be shining role models.

Of course it isn’t, I never said that it was :)…but my height and current body shape with the extra weight I have put on, makes me probably look like I don’t eat well or exercise much…

Imagine if we got risk of the overweight medics in the NHS. Ridiculous! I couldn’t care less what my doctor or nurse or HCP weighs. If they offer good care and helpful advice, that’s great.

I recently had a very senior consultant explain that weight loss would help X. Then he patted his stomach and said “it isn’t easy for many of us these days and I really empathise”. Instantly, I felt no judgement and I warmed to him! He gave me some personal tips he was trying and we had a nice chat about how it’s easier to be active when the days are longer and lighter. I really appreciated the human touch, the extra couple of mins he gave me and I honestly hadn’t even noticed his weight and wouldn’t have cared.

YABU. Their role is to give you professional advice. They don’t have to follow that advice as much as you don’t either.

Nurses work long hours, often with very little time for breaks. Their shift patterns are often anti social, and I expect they have times when they have to eat their meals before bed. without them our healthcare system would crumble. They do a difficult job, and some have to use foodbanks. If you are a nurse reading this, thank you. You are amazing.

Don't be ridiculous, their weight is none of your business. Given that half of the population are overweight, the NHS is going to collapse pretty quick if they cannot employ fat people.

Dietary advice isn't just about keeping slim or losing weight you know? Some pretty skinny folk have heart attacks for example because they eat crap. Being slim doesn't necessarily mean you eat well.

I don't think being overweight is a hinderance TBH....
I recently started C25K and you can pick the person who encourages you on the NHS app. So did I pick one of the Olympic athletes or sportsman? Nope, I picked Sarah millican, an overweight comic who knows how hard it is to walk past a bakery!
So I don't think there is any real value having a 'perfect' nurse telling you how to live your life.
I've been a 17st nurse and I'm now a 10st nurse....hasn't changed a thing about my practice!

Vikingness I am in a minority here but I agree .A friend of mine who is a Nursing Sister ,is a large lady and dispenses advice on weight . A patient was rude to her and said she was a "fine one to talk" I feel a slimmer Nurse would have more impact .

What is it you want? For overweight nurses to not give patients important health advice? Or should overweight people not be allowed to be nurses?

@FuckTheClubUp - different subject but my Nan used to affectionately call me fatty boom boom when I was little. Thanks for this memory 😊