Credits: Social Media
Doctors should only talk about your weight if it’s related to your health issue, physician says�
Overweight is not the same as being unhealthy, and a doctor isn’t required to “counsel” their patient for having an above-average BMI. However, they can talk about your weight in specific instances.
While scientists have discovered a drug that can target body fat without exercise and diet, a fitness influence swears by the only trick to reduce your belly. Whether you want to lose or gain weight, a doctor can’t offer unsolicited advice unless your health demands it.
When can a doctor talk about your weight?
A physician was on the receiving end of a remark targeting her weight when she was still healthy and looked fit. One of her followers’ comments about doctors’ after the visit summary prompted the physician to share her own experience.
Displayed in the background is an old picture of her. Jenny looks fit and happy, but she was told by her doctor that she was overweight because her “BMI was above-average”.
“As a doctor, I do not need to talk to you about your BMI if it’s above average or even it’s obese. I do talk to you about it if I’m concerned about eating disorders or if your BMI is really low,” she explained.
Stating another instance when a doctor is allowed to discuss the patient’s weight, Jenny said discussions about the individual’s weight are acceptable if they pertain to the specific visit.
When they shouldn’t discuss weight
The doctors are allowed to bring up your weight if you are suffering from health conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea, or more. Even in the case of surgery, the doctor must talk about the patient’s weight if their BMI is over 40 as going under the knife with overweight could cause complications and increases risks.
However, that doesn’t mean the doctor can discuss your more-than-average weight if you visit for a runny nose or sore throat. Under these circumstances, Jenny wouldn’t talk about her patient’s weight.
“I understand that some people think that we have to talk about weight, but it’s not the case. We don’t, absolutely not,” the physician said.
Dr. Jenny Le is a family medicine doctor in Washington. She completed her degree from Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine. She’s been in practice for almost a decade.
