How will they know who is obese?

[GinWithRosie]

Just that really! In the latest reports about new proposed 'rules' on shielding that 'may or may not' (who knows anymore!!) be introduced, it is saying that anyone over-50 and obese will be told to shield. But...how will 'they' know this information?

I guess I'd be in that category, at 56 and 14 stone, but nobody in authority knows my weight! I've never been weighed at a GP surgery or any other place where my weight has been recorded. I haven't even visited my new GP surgery...so they've not actually seen my body to have a clue what I might be in terms of BMI 🤷‍♀️

So...how will they know?

Here:

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/26/obesity-increases-risk-of-covid-19-death-by-48-study-finds

So what's the point then @JamminDoughnuts? I wouldn't tell anyone my BMI so therefore wouldn't be told to shield so it's a pointless exercise.

. My point was that significant extra risk for Covid doesn’t really start until much higher.

It starts at 30:

The new study from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill into the effects of Covid-19 on people with obesity, defined as a BMI over 30, finds they are at greater risk from the virus in every way. Their risk of ending up in hospital with Covid-19 increases by 113%, of needing intensive care by 74%, and of dying of the virus by 48%.

@Bluntness100 yes I remember that thread, and the one where the OP was absolutely adamant that she did not have a high BMI despite being very overweight (she even said that her GP had told her it was low which was impossible given her height and weight!).

I can now see that it will not be like the first round of shielding where letters will only be sent to those who are actually being targeted...but it will be a more blanket approach which will cause yet more confusion for people who really can’t work things out...like the two posters mentioned who didn’t accept their BMI was high or fir those who don’t have scales, can’t work it out, don’t want to accept it, are in denial...the list goes on.

Those who are asking how do I know that half my school would fall into that category...because it’s not just teachers...we have TAs, kitchen staff, cleaners, 1:1 support staff...the vast majority of whom are women over 50 and many of them are visibly overweight (some exceptionally so) I know they are unhappy being back in school. Teachers not so much...most of them are desperate to stay in school and to keep school open...but we need more than just the teachers 🤷‍♀️ But that’s a whole new thread...so let’s just hope it doesn’t come to that and this isn’t enforced 😊

But is it divided down by degree? It’s a bit meaningless to look at risk from people 1lb over being oerfdpectly fine and dandy and those so obese they can’t leave their house, have high blood pressure, diabetes etc etc.
I don’t think it’s controversial to suggest it’s not a cliff edge.

@Sunflowers247

. My point was that significant extra risk for Covid doesn’t really start until much higher.

It starts at 30:

The new study from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill into the effects of Covid-19 on people with obesity, defined as a BMI over 30, finds they are at greater risk from the virus in every way. Their risk of ending up in hospital with Covid-19 increases by 113%, of needing intensive care by 74%, and of dying of the virus by 48%.

Those statistics are so scary.

I was overweight pre-lockdown. I'm in my 20's, and those kind of figures/studies have been enough to shock me in to losing 2 stone since then. I dont want to take any chances despite being in my late 20's with no health conditions.

I think many people think 'oh it will never happen to me', and carry on with their lives. Being overweight/obese is dangerous, and now we have Covid-19 thrown into the mix which makes it even riskier.

This country is in denial about its massive weight problem.

@hamstersarse

I don’t mean to be rude, but it’s fairly obvious if someone is obese.

Also these would be guidelines, I guess if you are over 50 and obese you can take your chances if you like

I don't agree. Obese is a BMI over 30. Mine is 31 so I am obese. I am 5'4 and a size 14. I think anyone looking at me would say I am overweight but I very much doubt people would say I was obese.

Being overweight/obese is dangerous, and now we have Covid-19 thrown into the mix which makes it even riskier.
This country is in denial about its massive weight problem.

Yes, I agree. ☹️

Well I guess I can expect a letter then. Last time I was weighed at the doctors (5 years ago) I was 290lb, now I'm 135lb.

I'll admit I was at risk 5 years ago, but no way would I be shielding now, ive done everything I can to get myself as healthy as possible.

Oh and being a shortarse for me the difference between top end of normal weight and obese is a grand total of 20lb

Surely no one's going to be 'locked away' or 'have to' shield?

Isn't the idea to warn people if they are at higher risk and then everyone can decide what actions to take according to how concerned they are about the risk, what steps they can practically take, how their lives work, etc?

The trouble is that on the whole, the very vulnerable are already taking extra precautions

The trouble is that what is happening now isnt enough

How do you persuade the extra vulnerable to restrict their lives even more?

How do you persuade the extra vulnerable to restrict their lives even more?

It's a question of personal responsibility and risk assessment. I agree that the Government can't 'lock away' people!

The Centre for Disease Control in the US has dropped the increased risk warning to a BMI of 30+ in the US. Very worrying. That's a huge percentage of our population.

How do you persuade the extra vulnerable to restrict their lives even more

The point being that it's up to them?

We should be making it easier for those who need to shield to do so if they want and the rest of us should be going about our business as we see feet.

No-one is forcing people out of their houses and into pubs and restaurants etc. But it's apparently ok for the rest of society to be denied access to them? Surely this is arse over tit.

Not sure if anyone has mentioned this but if this were to be brought in I think there’d be quite an impact on staffing in hospitals and care homes...

@midgebabe

When medical resources are limited like now, the obese do affect someone else's life chances

And here we go

No-one is forcing people out of their houses and into pubs and restaurants etc. But it's apparently ok for the rest of society to be denied access to them? Surely this is arse over tit.

You don't have to to force people into pubs and restaurants for them to be infected by other people who have been to pubs and restaurants. It's impossible to separate huge sections of society from everyone else.

It's a risk assessment that ANYONE can do for themselves..

Are you in high risk area. ?
Are you obese (BMI 30>) ?
Are you morbidly obese (BMI >40)
Are you super morbidly obese (BMI >50 ? ?
Is your ethnicity BAME ?
Are you over 50?
Do you have an impaired or reduced immunity.?
Or a health condition that would make fighting a respiratory Illness difficult?

If yes, to all the above then economic situation not relevant because this virus will probably kill you.. however if it's a mixture of yes and no then you have to make your own choice based on what you think the priority is for you. Versus the chances of contracting the disease and being ill for months .. or days.. nobody, not the government or mystic meg can tell you the answer..

Although personally I would put my money on mystic meg ahead of this government!

This country is in denial about its massive weight problem

It really is! Last year, I calculated my BMI at 28 - I couldn’t believe it, I knew I’d put on a bit of chubb, but I still exercised plenty, wore a size 12 and everyone always commented on how fit and healthy I was.

I’m now at a BMI of 22 and look and feel so much better and am far more active. I was definitely in denial about my weight and how much I was eating, it’s easily done.

I'm over 50 and obese but I don't have diabetes, high blood pressure or any heart problems so I don't think I'd be asked to shield

@justanotherneighinparadise

And yet low carb is constantly criticised on here but it’s a very quick and effective way to become metabolically healthy. My partner and I both lost over a stone at the end of lockdown and are now nearing 50 with a completely normal BMI. You don’t have to accept being a statistic, this stuff is changeable and you can change it quickly.

YOU could.

I am diabetic. I was 21 & 48 kg when I had glandular fever and a virus that attacked my liver - the entire clusterfuck fucked with my system and I ended up with T2 diabetes.

Like a LOT If T2 diabetics, the diabetes caused my weight issues, not the other way around.

I eat VERY low carb (basically only carbs from vegetables) & exercise. I'm permanently in ketosis (wee sticks daily).

I CANNOT lose weight. CANNOT.

It is depressing enough without the smugness & downright nastiness of people saying the things they do about it being T2's own fault they have it, that if fat people cared they could lose weight, that fat people deserve what they get. Etc etc.

& please no diet suggestions. I've tried them. All of the various fasting, OMAD things too. Low carb DOES control my blood sugar levels, so I don't take medication.

Please just accept that us 'fatties' are not all just stuffing our faces with chips & chocolate and that not all of us 'could just lose weight if we wanted to'. Nor are we too uneducated, living in poverty or just generally thick, fat, slobs.

😢😭

People who then helpfully say "eat less! Move more! Simples!" As if...!

(Although yes I know it is for many)

I had glandular fever too in my teens and can agree it’s an absolute bastard. Losing weight is hard. I still find it hard. It’s a fight I have to fight everyday.

@Bloomburger

They won't know, they're hoping you'll take some responsibility yourself for working it out and protecting your health.

Precisely.

Shielding has never been mandatory. However, if you are at higher risk than others, then you will need to factor that in when deciding how best to protect your own health. It might be that you're happy with the risk and carry on as normal - no one is going to force you, just as shielding wasn't enforced before.