A note for people with BMI 40+

[Iremembertheelderlykoreanlady]

I'm sure you have all thought of this already , but in terms of the vaccine, it's worth making sure your GP has a record of your current BMI.

I haven't been weighed at surgery for years, before depression, anxiety and an eating disorder got the better of me. So my BMI is recorded by them as far lower than it is, and according to their records I wouldn't qualify for the vaccine.

I never gave it much though as I thought I would come in group 6 due to asthma but that is no longer the case.

I phoned and booked an appointment for next week to have my BMI taken (that was an embarrassing conversation to have with the receptionist, but needs must)

Thought it mite be worth a reminder

I've wondered that too, how surgeries identify those with a BMI that might put them into a higher category for vaccination.

I haven't been weighed anywhere since I was pregnant, for example.

I think most people with weight issues know their own BMI so it's a case of making sure it's officially recorded.

Whether people can get past the stigma and make sure that happens is another matter. I hope they do. That said I'm already anxious about my appointment. I will get a (well deserved and I'm sure we'll intentioned) telling off.

Also not too easy getting an appointment just now. It could be a real miss for a lot of people.

Out of interest are people with a certain BMI on any kind of priority group?

Does it make any difference though? I have a friend whose BMI is undoubtedly over 40 and they are only just going for their flu jab as an 'over 50' (ie not been prioritised in any other category).

Those with BMI over 40 are in the CV category so in priority group 6. So yes it would make a difference.

I can't comment on the flu jab as I get that due to asthma

I wonder how many people have no clue, are in denial and this thread won't change that, or even think that whatever their BMI is right now, it's "temporary" so not relevant.

They're adults & allowed to take those positions, of course.

Does it make any difference though? I have a friend whose BMI is undoubtedly over 40 and they are only just going for their flu jab as an 'over 50' (ie not been prioritised in any other category).

BMI over 40 isn't a risk factor for flu though, only if it seriously impacts your breathing. Whereas it is a risk factor covid.

Why is asthma not in priority group 6? Group 6 is for for 16-64 with underlying health conditions. Is asthma not an underlying health condition? Asking as I have asthma and the flu jab because of it and presumed I would be in group 6.

If I understand things correctly asthma isn't a risk factor for covid in most cases. I think it depends on the drugs you're on and how controlled it is.

@Iremembertheelderlykoreanlady

I think most people with weight issues know their own BMI so it's a case of making sure it's officially recorded.

Whether people can get past the stigma and make sure that happens is another matter. I hope they do. That said I'm already anxious about my appointment. I will get a (well deserved and I'm sure we'll intentioned) telling off.

I'll admit to having a weight problem. so does him indoors. But neither of us have a clue about our BMI other than it's too high. No idea if it's 40 or 50 or 22.

I expect most people with weight problems are the same. Just like they (& we) don't know what we actually weigh.

@escondida

I wonder how many people have no clue, are in denial and this thread won't change that, or even think that whatever their BMI is right now, it's "temporary" so not relevant.

They're adults & allowed to take those positions, of course.

I’ve been bouncing along with a ‘temporary’ BMI over 40 for years. Was rumbled at the doctors’ recently and have had flu jab letter (already had flu jab earlier in the autumn) so am assuming I will be called for the vaccine at some point, too.

I am torn between relief and complete and utter shame that people will find out how fat I am. (Like they haven’t got eyes).

Am losing weight now (BMI 41.2) but have never felt so fat, worthless and awful in my life, especially after reading threads about this on MN, so completely understand why there are people about with a BMI over 40 who don’t have it on their medical records. Although having the vaccine is a matter of clinical need, there is shame associated with fatness which is hard to deal with.

I just called the drs to update mine. She had no idea what she was doing so I'll call again tomorrow to make sure it's done. I suggested coming down to be weighed but they were quite happy to just take my word for it

Asthma was on the provisional list for group 6 but now it seems unless you have steroid tablets it's been taken off. I was surprised as well. I take a combination inhaler which has been classed as moderate risk throughout until now.

There's a thread running about it.

Armi - I agree and I'm really sorry you're feeling like that.

And the other way round, last time I was weighed my bmi was 46, now its 24.5. As far as my records are concerned I'm morbidly obese, whereas I'm actually at the upper end of normal.

@Armi You sound lovely. Don't be ashamed - disordered eating isn't just about being very thin. You're doing the best you can.

My dad is under weight management so his will be recorded, but good thread, OP.

Wow @Whatever9999 - that's an amazing drop. Well done. How did you do it? My BMI is in the late 20s.

@Armi, be kind to yourself, beating yourself up won't change anything. Nobody gets to 40+ BMI simply because they like pies, it's more complex than that. People have difficult life hurdles, stress, illness, mental health issues, economic reasons. There's a whole load of complex reasons for being that weight, and while it's definitely something you should try to change, it's not something you should ever feel ashamed of.

@Iremembertheelderlykoreanlady do you know the name of the other thread discussing asthma? I can't seem to find it.

@Armi I have a 40+ BMI now. I didn't always but I do now. I don't like it and I don't want to be this weight forever but hating myself won't fix it. I'm not trying to make excuses but this year has been hellish. It'll get better though.

Thanks for the kind words, all.

I have been going up and past a BMI of 40 over the course of the pandemic. I’m currently under (38.9), but weight changes all the time for lots of people. I’m a yo yo dieter / stress eater so it’s been quite a time.

I was wondering how they’d manage this.

My BMI is only just under 40, 39 point something. Half wondering if I should gain a pound or two to qualify for the jab because my risk profile has hardly changed by that tiny fraction of weight. Its a real dilemma because I'm just so close to being classed as clinically vulnerable.

And before anyone piles on, I'm currently undergoing eating disorder treatment where they make you agree not to diet so losing it and getting further away from 40 isn't an option in the short term, I'm not supposed to count calories or measure portions. Staying even is the more likely.

Mind you, if I did tip over to 40 then I've no idea how to inform the doctor as PPs have mentioned.

The thread is something like

"So it looks like if you're under 50 with asthma you're not getting the vaccine"

Some people may find this link useful:

alama.org.uk/covid-19-medical-risk-assessment/
This website is recommended by David Speigelhalter (Winton Professor of the Public Understanding of Risk in the Statistical Laboratory at the University of Cambridge)

You can work out your "covid age" and see how things increase your risk, eg. BMI and asthma.

You can deduct 5 years just for being female. Result.