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?

I did the covid age calcultor on the link (I'm 61) and came out as 56 which gives me a moderate risk.
Why does the BMI only go down to

Does anyone know if risk immediately reduces once you get below a BMI of 30 or if there's a time factor? I've lost 29lbs since 1st August and gone from 35.4 BMI to 31. Only 7lb off getting below 30, but surely there wouldn't be a big difference in risk between this week and say 2 weeks from now?

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.

I honestly would. I think this ties into what people are saying about the normalisation of being obese, and you possibly being in denial about it.

@FatGirlShrinking

Does anyone know if risk immediately reduces once you get below a BMI of 30 or if there's a time factor? I've lost 29lbs since 1st August and gone from 35.4 BMI to 31. Only 7lb off getting below 30, but surely there wouldn't be a big difference in risk between this week and say 2 weeks from now?

A lot of it is due to metabolic health.

If you have low levels of inflammation you will be fine. You can get this tested, along with other markers of health - cholesterol (be careful it is interpreted correctly AND alongside...) triglycerides, HB1c levels.

It is actually estimated that only 15% of the population have good metabolic health which is a bit of a disaster and the 'picking' on obese people is because it is very hard to be obese and have good markers as above. Obesity is usually marked by an inflammatory problem

But to answer your question - if your diet is about removing inflammatory food, i.e. ultra processed food, and instead is about good whole foods, your inflammation has probably gone down and it has improved your metabolic health

@hamstersarse

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.

I honestly would. I think this ties into what people are saying about the normalisation of being obese, and you possibly being in denial about it.

How can you say I am in denial when I said 'I am obese?' My comment was in response to the poster who said you can tell by looking that someone is obese. People would think I was overweight, and I know I am. But I don't think people could tell by looking that I am clinically obese. This has definitely given me a kick up the backside to lose weight. I agree there is a major issue with weight in this country - everyone who is concerned about weight related Covid risk should check their BMI as 'obese' is not as fat as most people would expect it to be is the point I was trying to make put another way.

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.

Exactly. We all need to take responsibility for ourselves and our health!

[quote Ginfordinner]I did the covid age calcultor on the link (I'm 61) and came out as 56 which gives me a moderate risk.
Why does the BMI only go down to

I think this thread links veyr nicely to another one commenting on the attitude to people over 50.

I think government thinks that all over 50 are sittgin round at home with grown up children.

I fatc, most over 50s have school age kids and are supporting our parents who are in the over 70s group.

In and 53, and during first lockdown I was doing the shopping for my family and 3 others.
My dh and I both work full time, and have worked all through albeit from home.
I have kids at school, one taking GCSE and one taking A levels this year.

I'd love to have the luxury of gonig home and shutting the door. But how? take my kids aout of school? Leave my parents to visit supermarkets while I shield (and they both have health issues)

This is NOT about smug comments like 'take responsibility for yourself' What about the 6 other people that I am responsible for? Who looks after our kids, teaches them, shops for them, etc etc if we are shielding?

It is just not possible for most over 50s

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.

Well, unless they are going into their houses afterwards, yes it is.

@WaxOnFeckOff

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.

Well, unless they are going into their houses afterwards, yes it is.

They don't have to go into anyone else's house afterwards to pass the infection on. For example, if they have school age children they could infect them and they could infect their class mates who will infect their families, some of whom may be vulnerable.

People really need to take responsibility for themselves. It used to be the Americans who were a nation of obese people but now it's like that here. There's too much shitty food available, fast food places and takeaways have tripled since the 80s. We don't have fruit shops anymore, we have fruit available to buy inside a supermarket laden with unhealthy food. Mental health will be a huge problem as to why people comfort eat. We are taking away people's civil liberties for this virus but there hasn't been an obesity drive in this country for fear of upsetting people. Heart attacks kill more people than any other illness. Fact.

@amicissimma

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?

No this is not the idea.

When people talk about shielding obese people or people over 50 it's in connection with the 'herd immunity' camp, e.g. the Great Barrington Declaration.

The idea is that if all The Vulnerable™ agree to just get in the fucking cupboard for the next however long then all the young, healthy, beautiful people can Get Back To Normal™, keep the economy going, have a lovely time with their friends, do their bit for herd immunity by catching the virus and passing it on. It will all be fine, the hospitals won't be overwhelmed because all The Vulnerable™ have been put in storage.

Then, one glorious day in the future, when all the young, healthy beautiful people have vanquished the virus by bravely catching it and spreading it down the pub, selflessly risking feeling a bit poorly for a few days - then they can let granny out of the cupboard and she will be safe and everyone will rejoice and have a big hug and live happily every after.

For some reason I imagine this all happening on sunlit uplands.

I suppose they could offer people over 50 who declare themselves obese the first tranch of vaccines when available. Then anyone who self designates gets told to self-isolate until it is available.

@hamstersarse

They could lose some weight?

Radical idea I know

Oh, that’s right. Because no-one who is obese has ever: a) noticed; b) tried to lose weight.

@GinWithRosie

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.

Can you link to these reports, please?

Lock all the fatties up (me included), restrict food delivery and hey presto, you've solved the UK obesity crisis!! Good thinking Boris!!

Cheaper than WW @ZiggZagg! I've spent a fortune on SW and WW over the years and I'm still fat so this could be than answer!

Well first off that's extremely worrying if what you've heard is true.

The 45-50 age group are being thrown to the wolves.

As noted by SAGE, the age risk increases from 45, not 50.

With regards obesity. The biggest risk is likely waist size. Visceral fat is the most dangerous.

@hamstersarse do you mean the CRP level in blood? I’m someone who has been BMI 40 with a normal CRP level. Have often wondered if BMI 40 with normal inflammatory levels, no diabetes or hbp, is a risk factor for serious covid.