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?

So I guess legally I’m still classed as BMI 40+.

Yes, once something is added to your medical record it always remains the case for legal purposes. I myself have been pregnant for the last 18 years. I update my employers every year to advise them I am still pregnant as it was added to my medical record in 2002.

@Sorryoo

masonmason I’m not making anything up, I’m simply explaining what the studies and statistics show which current advice does not yet reflect because we are still learning.

If I had the opportunity to stay home and lose some more weight to better protect myself before returning to work, I’d take it. Being obese almost doubles your chances of dying, death doesn’t look up the BMI chart and check if your bmi is 39.9 or 40. We shouldn’t be angry at people trying their best to protect their lives.

And my other points stand, OP may be BAME, or she may have undiagnosed T2 which is why I suggested getting home strips.

The question was should OP say she has a BMI of 40+. She should not. Her BMI is 38.

If I had the opportunity to stay home and lose some more weight to better protect myself before returning to work, I’d take it. Being obese almost doubles your chances of dying, death doesn’t look up the BMI chart and check if your bmi is 39.9 or 40. We shouldn’t be angry at people trying their best to protect their lives.

That is not what happened here.

The 'we are still learning' thing is no more relevant than the rest of the post because the question is very clear. 40+ or not?

The question of vulnerability is being answered based on blanket scientific advice that is outdated with each passing day. The evidence is now overwhelming that the bmi for vulnerability is 30+. So all the posts suggesting that OP is not vulnerable because she is not at an arbitrary point on the scales are not factoring in several issues, and the advice is too blanket and does not allow for ethnicity, or recent weight loss. For example, the hearts of people who lose 1lb taking them from 40 to 39.9 are not under any less stress. We all need to accept responsibility for our own health and in this instance, because of the novel nature Of the virus and how our NHS guidelines adapt to changing advice, I’d say OP (and anyone who is in the higher reaches of 35+) is vulnerable. Particularly if they are BAME.

The question of vulnerability is being answered based on blanket scientific advice that is outdated with each passing day.

The question 'is your BMI 40+' isn't really open to interpretation though. The answer is no.

But what does “is your bmi over 40?” mean in this instance? Are the employers asking as a cut off measure for those who are vulnerable and those who are not? Because it is not a useful metric in that context. And is a question based on old studies from March. Your BMI being over 40 bears little relation now to vulnerability, a BMI of over 30 does. So posters including yourself who are suggesting a BMI of 38 means OP is not “clinically” vulnerable, on the basis of her BMI not being over 40 are wrong.

But what does “is your bmi over 40?” mean in this instance?

Your determination to be correct in this situation is making you look silly. 'Is your BMI over 40' means the same in every instance. It's not an open question. It is a yes or no.

The government gives definitions for the clinically vulnerable group and for those even more vulnerable who need to shield

These are the definitions that would be used by employers, so BMI 40 not 39.9

They are not the same as someone assessing their own individual risk - e.g. preferring to WFH -
but an employer is likely to stick to the official cutoffs when deciding who can continue to WFH

The government gives definitions for the clinically vulnerable group and for those even more vulnerable who need to shield

Yes my employers policy does make a distinction between these two group. And if you’re in either group you have to tell them asap.

the reason company companies offer risk assessment is that they have a legal responsibility to keep you safe at work. If they have offered and you choose not to take up offer, that is fine. You have exercised your choice and they have done their duty. I am similar BMI to you and asthmatic but still working in an acute hospital.

And if you’re in either group you have to tell them asap. Based on bmi you are not in either group

Currently you are not clinically vulnerable based on the government's criteria. Things change, you are not being asked by your employer to have a medical, your documented weight in your medical records is not up to date so just tell your employer what you know to be factually true now.
It's like if I was prescribed a medication that made me more vulnerable but wasnt actually currently taking that medication, I would not currently fall into the vulnerable category. If you didn't have access to your med records you would just go on what your scales said so just do that.

The question of vulnerability is being answered based on blanket scientific advice that is outdated with each passing day. The evidence is now overwhelming that the bmi for vulnerability is 30+.

What?

This is totally false.

There is strong evidence for a large extra mortality risk at BMI 40.

The extra mortality risk at BMI 31, say, will be MUCH smaller than at 40, and would not reasonably rise to a description of vulnerable.

Do you have a source supporting your false claims?

Recent French study which indicates a bmi of >35 is considered vulnerable
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/oby.22831

In our dataset of 265 patients (58% male patients), we found a significant inverse correlation between age and BMI, in which younger individuals admitted to hospital were more likely to be obese (figure). There was no difference by sex (p=0·9). The median BMI was 29·3 kg/m2, with only 25% of individuals having a BMI of less than 26 kg/m2, and 25% exceeding a BMI of 34·7 kg/m2.

www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)31024-2/fulltext#fig1

You are vulnerable at BMI 38, no matter what a piece of paper from an employer is asking you.

So yes, you can say your bmi is less than 40. That’s the truth.
But no, you cannot say you are not clinically vulnerable.
That is also the truth.

Lockdown is perfect time to get active for walks as all you can do is exercise or shop. Recently took up jogging.

@Tippexy, that was a typo, i meant to say by government definition the OP isn't in their group. But as said, we now know those with a BMI over 30 are more at risk and it goes up on the sliding scale to 40, when it becomes extremely vulnerable.

I've been reading the Lancet reports. Nearly all of the healthy children who've died from Covid in the US have double the BMI that they should have. All of the healthy younger people in my city who have died have all been obese. One in their 20's, quite a few in their 30's. Every week we are having the death rates broken down more and analysed and obesity is a risk factor. The US wasn't listing it as a Co-morbidity at first, so the data took a while to filter through.

I'm probably more aware of this because I'm obese, but losing and on a few diet forums and we discuss and link reports.

A BMI of 38 has had Staff moved off the front line, whenever possible, in some health trusts.

You're being so dramatic.

So yes, you can say your bmi is less than 40. That’s the truth.
But no, you cannot say you are not clinically vulnerable.
That is also the truth.

Why are you struggling so much with this

OP, does NOT fit into the specific category set out by the government. Her BMI is 38. The specific group is for people with a BMI of 40 or more.

'Recent French study' blah blah blah

OP employers are not asking her to look at recent studies, French or otherwise. They are asking her if she fits into the category as laid out by the U.K. Government. The answer is NO. The answer was always NO. It's not even a difficult question.

Why are you struggling with this? It’s not a definite categorisation like with an established disease, it is constantly changing in line with new research and BMI of 40 being vulnerable is old news.

Why are you struggling with this?

I'm not.

It’s not a definite categorisation

Yes, it really is. U.K. employers are following advice and information as laid out by both the NHS and the U.K. Government. In order to reach the vulnerable category based on weight you need a BMI of over 40. OP BMI is 38. OP does NOT fit into the specific category.

like with an established disease, it is constantly changing in line with new research and BMI of 40 being vulnerable is old news.

It's not old news. It is still very clearly the BMI that puts you into the vulnerable category. Any changing information will become official when the Government and NHS decide, it's not done according to what the individual thinks.

I think that the 40 cut off will change soon and the question will just be irrelevant. Loads of articles and the studies above saying it’s 35 now so lots of people will be back at work who are vulnerable. Look how long it took them to change the advice on sense of smell when everyone knew that was a symptom for ages. It’s changing all the time. I’m BMI 36 and I’m worried. Just try and lose some weight in the mean time.