BMI 38 - would you say I am “clinically vulnerable“?

[Lemons1571]

My medical records show I am BMI 40+ after a GP insisted on weighing me a few years ago. The gp practice starting texting me about a free flu jab soon after this, presumably because of the BMI result (no one has ever confirmed or explained that though). So, at that time years ago, I would have fitted into the current government definition of “clinically vulnerable” for covid.

Anyway fast forward to now, my employer has asked all staff to let them know if you’re clinically vulnerable, as part of their new coronavirus policy. They are a good employer so it’s not designed to furlough or make anyone redundant. I measured my BMI this morning on the nhs calculator, did my exact height in cm and exact weight to the nearest pound. It came out as BMI 38. I have been cutting down a bit so maybe that’s why, first time I’ve weighed myself in ages.

So now I don’t know if I’m classed as “clinically vulnerable” or not. I have no other health conditions on the clinically vulnerable list on gov.uk

I’ve emailed the gp surgery to ask, but they’re busy and I’m not actually ill, so it could take a while for them to get back to me.

What do you think?

Under 35 not 31. I wish it was 31!!

@lesbihonest

No one from my gp surgery has been in touch with advice regarding my BMI and Covid.

Op, I also think you wish to say you’re vulnerable, I don’t think there is any other explanation for this.

All you have to say is it’s 38 and was At the time of writing. You know this. No one is going to dispute it or argue non disclosure. It will not invalidate anything.

However that’s irrelevant. Your work is not going to be doing you over non disclosure, your occupational health won’t be accusing you of lying.

Either lie and say you’re vulnerable and bmi over forty or tell the truth and say you’re not. That’s it really.

Bluntness100, perhaps the OP's definition is incorrect, but having a BMI of over 40 has been added to the shielding group and has always meant that a free flub jab would be offered. If any gym membership/nutritional advise schemes were started, or to be referred to the obesity clinic for weight loss, then the OP is in that group. She could probably access diabetes tests etc.

OP you are in the clinically vulnerable group and can return to work. However you are stil vulnerable and more likely to suffer complications from Covid. It starts at a BMI of 30 and goes up, until 40 makes you critical.

There are three categories of obesity, you are in category 2. So you are still obese, just not morbidly so. I say that as someone who is obese but now losing.

Ponoka, I’m aware of that, the issue is she does not have a bmi of forty or over.

She can however say she does. Her work will not come and weigh her.

@Ponoka7 yes! I was referred to a weight loss / nutritional advice program back then. It never got off the ground as they lost my referral and then that particular scheme ended.

@Bluntness100 I will say nothing! I have nothing to gain by saying I’m vulnerable to my employer.

This thread has made me feel weirdly relieved.

but having a BMI of over 40 has been added to the shielding group

Since when?

@Ponoka7 your post is absolutely untrue. OP is not in the clinically vulnerable group, as well she knows. Please get your facts right before posting.

@Ponoka7 Also a BMI of 40+ does not put you in the shielding group.

Jeez! The info is out there and is easy to access!

So I’m thinking, oh shit if I don’t disclose this, someone could look at me and think yes she’s pretty big, definitely non disclosure.

I really can't imagine there would be any consequences for "non disclosure" (if they needed this information for something else, like travel insurance, they'd ask again at the time). But if you're that worried about it, why not take a photo of the reading on the scales? The timestamp on the photo will provide proof of your current weight at this present moment, should you ever need proof.

lemons neither were mine specifically , she was on the phone discussing my mental health and I said I was particularly worried as I’m fat . She said the issue primarily comes from them not being so easily able to treat someone in ITU if they’re very obese . But then also said the biggest risk is men in their 50s with CHD , T2DB and hypertension ... she said just to be very, very careful . I’m going out for walks and I’m intending on visiting my wee granny (who’s self isolated for weeks) when allowed but I’ll remain wary of shops and cinemas etc for quite some time !

@lesbihonest that’s interesting about the main problem being the practicality in treating / venting an obese person. I thought it was either 1. the obesity that meant you got the virus more severely. Or 2. if you get the virus severely, then just the fact that you’re obese makes your outcome chances worse.

Besides the point but what kind of GP weighs someone in their winter coat?!

@wailedAndNearlyLevitated and boots! I did offer to take them off and she said no need to bother just hop on.

No one from my gp surgery has been in touch with advice regarding my BMI and Covid

They wouldn't be. GPs are only writing to those who fall into the exceptionally clinically vulnerable (aka shield) group, not the longer list vulnerable which include BMI>40

A reading from years ago will not be relevant for these purposes. You know what your current weight (and therefore BMI) is. The fact that it was higher some years ago simply isn't relevant now.

Ditto for insurance BTW: you would declare that you were recorded as morbidly obese however many years ago it was, but have since lost the weight and BMI has been in region of 38 for however many years. If it's >2 years, you'll prob get the lower rate (not least because if you are seriously injured your weight at admission may be recorded (and if higher than you reported you'll invalidate your policy - it's a very low risk stance for them, and a way to reward honesty with mildly lower premium)

Its not untrue OP

You had a BMI of 40

Its like if you get diagnosed with glandular fever, you dont still have it 5 years on but it stays on yoie records

I agree I think you want to be vunerable. Its pretty obvious a weight reading from years ago is not accurate

Something being recorded on your medical records does not become your legal status.

You are not clinically vulnerable. You have nothing to declare to anyone.

My understanding of 'clinically vulnerable' is that you have had a letter from your GP asking you to shield. I guess you could ask your employer for their definition but that's my interpretation.

It's really very simple.

Over 70 years old is classed as.vulnerable. 69 and 364 days is not

BMI 40+ is classed as vulnerable. BMI 38 is not.

That doesn't mean you have the same risk as a 70 yo as a 28 yo with BMI 40. Your risk is much lower.

But that's the list and there it is.

Its not a list of people likely to die or even most likely to die. It's just a binary list. Fit any of the conditions? You are deemed vulnerable. Don't fit them? You are deemed not.

Reality might be different. But those are the list.

Note that people on the vulnerable list don't have any restrictions. They are allowed to go to work.

The extremely vulnerable list are supposed to stay home.

In reality , say 90 year olds, who are merely vulnerable, are.likely to.be at far higher risk than people on the extremely vulnerable list.

But that's how they do it.

OP, even if you didn’t need to disclose it I can understand your point perfectly well without berating you for your genuine query.

@nettie434 The clinically vulnerable don’t get a shielding letter; that’s the clinically extremely vulnerable

Not quite @ShootsFruitAndLeaves

“If you have any of the following health conditions, you are clinically vulnerable, meaning you are at higher risk of severe illness from coronavirus. You are advised to stay at home as much as possible and, if you do go out, take particular care to minimise contact with others outside your household.“

My understanding of 'clinically vulnerable' is that you have had a letter from your GP asking you to shield. I guess you could ask your employer for their definition but that's my interpretation.

No, that's the 'extremely vulnerable' group which is a much higher level of concern. Vulnerable is anyone who gets a free flu jab through their GP I think - some 10 million people in the UK.

Thanks MabelX Alittlerespectgoesalongway!