The War On Fat - Page 3
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May 9, '12 by rubatoVery hot topic. I am a nursing student who used to be a personal trainer. I tried to focus my business on helping the morbidly obese who were too embarrassed to go to the gym (I had a gym in my house that they would come to). Almost without fail, these clients would not follow my advice. They would come work out with me, then take home my recommendations on exercise and diet and do none of it. They were paying me to help them lose weight, but didn't want to do the work. I did have a few clients whose lives were changed, and I feel so lucky to have been able to help them, but it was frustrating to deal with the rest.
I have heard major complaints from my friends who are nurses because when a patient is morbidly obese, they are HEAVY! Nurses are throwing their backs out trying to help them, but I haven't heard any of this name calling.
I am not anti-fat. I am anti-unhealthy lifestyle. That includes over eating, smoking, not exercising, etc.... Our job as nurses is to work towards our patients health, and you can't be healthy if your weight can lead to diabetes, hypertension, etc....
There is never a place for name calling, but to think that a patients weight shouldn't matter is ridiculous. Yes, being overweight is a health risk. I guess the good news is that with America's weight increasing, we will all have job security.
To the OP, I'm sorry that you have had to hear these comments. Totally uncalled for. -
May 9, '12 by myelinI'm more interested in the moral judgements people make about someone's weight, especially a woman's. I find it pretty disturbing. Also, it's made all the more ridiculous by the fact that research in the field shows that current weight loss advice doesn't really work. But of course, we can just blame people for not losing weight and assume they're all just lazy non-compliars, right? Anyway, I'm of the belief that weight loss advice (eat less/exercise more, eat less fat, eat fewer animal products, eat more "healthy" grains and starches, etc.) doesn't work because it is bad advice. It's probably a conversation for another thread, but if anyone is interested, the Gary Taubes article I linked to in my previous post is a great place to start. -
May 9, '12 by caroladybelleQuote from PetsToPeopleThere is a difference in pulling something up 5 years or older with no more recent posts, and posting again on something that has a new fresh post every few days and strted less than 1 month ago.If you pull up an old but interesting thread and comment on it there is always someone to say "why are you on this thread it's old!" But then you start your own thread and someone has to say there are other threads out there...who cares!?
Also, if a hospital doesn't want to hire me then screw them, nurses can go on and get there NP degrees and go into business with fellow docs, PA's, NP's, CRNA's, etc. Amazing thing about being a nurse is all the opportunity!
This topic gets a new start practically every couple of of weeks with numerous posts on it. Much like the ADN vs BSN argument, it has been beaten up. And the data, and points brought up virtually never change, unlike such topics like changed in immigration rules, or pay rates or job availability.
The facility in Texas that is barring hiring those over a BMI of 35, has the requirement for all employees, I believe, not just nurses. Much like facilities that bar employees of all types from smoking. Getting one's NP does not alter the requirement. And if you review the data, I believe that you will find that smaller groups (clinics, offices) are less likely to hire high BMIers than hospital d/t bias in hiring.
I am definitely overweight, though not obese. I have had acquantances that do hiring for clinics. that stay away from the hire that is significantly overweight, d/t worries about too much sick time, insurance costs, worries about employee disability. they may not verbalize it to the candidate, but it is out there.
It is not right and it hurts my ability to get a job. But that does not mean I do not see the logic of it.Last edit by caroladybelle on May 9, '12 - May 9, '12 by rubatoIt's not all bad advice. There is a way to eat and exercise that is not only good for weight loss, but also healthy.
You are correct though that there's a lot of fad stupidity out there that is just adding to the problem. Atkins, Southbeach, cleanses, and such. I blame these "quick fixes" more than anything else for what has happened to this country.
Sorry, I was trying to quote myelin, but it didn't work. - Asst. Admin
May 9, '12 by Esme12Quote from CrazedNo the thread can stay open......people will post I was just preparing you for what may follow. A a girl with curves myself hear whaere you are comming from.Well glad I have long arms then.
I suppose the thread can be closed?nursel56 likes this. -
May 9, '12 by noyesnoQuote from rubatoI agree with your friends. I don't like taking care of obese people because transferring and repositioning these patients is dangerous.I have heard major complaints from my friends who are nurses because when a patient is morbidly obese, they are HEAVY! Nurses are throwing their backs out trying to help them, but I haven't heard any of this name calling. -
May 9, '12 by CrazedAlso important to note that the facility being spoken of does hire candidates with BMI's over 35, however they have them commit to loosing the weight the same as anti smoking facilities offer support through smoking cessation.
In short I didn't post this thread for personal sympathy because I said it doesn't bother me. I like to believe what other people think of me is none of my business.
What I'd like to know is how we go from nursing curriculum telling us to be empathetic and understanding to suggesting an entire portion of the population shouldn't be allowed to exist.
On average obese women make 6700 a year less than their non-obese counterparts with the same skill sets and qualifications. - May 9, '12 by myelinQuote from rubatoHey rubato,It's not all bad advice. There is a way to eat and exercise that is not only good for weight loss, but also healthy.
You are correct though that there's a lot of fad stupidity out there that is just adding to the problem. Atkins, Southbeach, cleanses, and such. I blame these "quick fixes" more than anything else for what has happened to this country.
Sorry, I was trying to quote myelin, but it didn't work.
You're absolutely right that exercise is great for health. I would never discount that. In fact, I think everyone should be physically active. However, is it good for weight loss? Well, in the article it states that following:
"When the American Heart Association and the American College of Sports Medicine jointly published physical-activity guidelines back in 2007, they described the evidence that exercise can even prevent us from growing fatter as “not particularly compelling,” which was a kind way to put it."
Exercise is problematic for two reasons. First of all, you have to work really, really hard to burn a pretty modest amount of calories. Running three miles burns about 1 candy bar's worth of calories. Furthermore, exercise increases hunger, which can cause people to eventually eat more (when they get tired of starving themselves on the low calorie/high exercise eating plan).
Also, when it comes to dietary advice, we probably won't agree. In the past 30 years, meat and animal fat consumption has gone way down. The extra calories we are eating come from sugars and grains, and soy-based fats (yikes). Anyway, if you're interested in helping people and curious about paradigm shifts in this field, I recommend checking out anything by Gary Taubes (he has written several books) or even just watching one of his medical school lectures on youtube.IndyElmer and PetsToPeople like this. - May 9, '12 by caroladybelleQuote from CrazedThe difference is that elderly patients often are often trying to stay healthy, exercise, comply with medical advice. You will find many HCWers just as aggravated with the noncompliant elderly, as they are the smokers that refuse to quit, the repeat detox patients, the bipolar pt that refuses to stay on their meds, and the overweight. And many HCWers get as aggravated with futile care, regardless of whether it is an elderly person, or a young person.It is also wasteful for older patients to use resources in general. We prolong the moment of death in many cases, not the actual event. Should we then just toss all people over the age of say 75 into a hole as well? I mean it takes effort to care for them, and it's hard work.
No but our food has change dramatically. We have farmed things like CLA out of meat.
I walk 2.5 miles, 5 days a week with my dog. I eat a low carbohydrate/calorie restricted diet. I keep a strict food journal. I have been tested for just about every endocrine disorder under the sun. I have a physical every year.
Keep in mind, I am not arguing with you but rather seek to understand why this attitude is so prevalent in a profession built on empathy.
There is nothing to stop you from going organic with your diet.
Have you tried running instead of walking? What other exercise do you do? Do you walk or bike to school? To work? Do you walk upstairs and downstairs at work or school if given the opportunity?
How did you lose the weight originally, and what has changed in your life when you started to regain it?
And why do you fret on this "attitude"? I am chubby. I really don't care that much what others think of me in regards to my size. People will hire me if they want or not. People are biased against others because of age, color, gender, complexion, religion, clothing that they wear, hairstyles, tattoos, piercings.....if you let what others think rule your life, you will forever be disappointed. Be what you are, and stop worrying about it unless it is important TO YOU to be thinner. - Asst. AdminMay 9, '12 by Esme12Quote from PetsToPeoplePets that is my quote."There are numerous threads on this topic. You may wish to research them, as the topic gets beaten to the ground around here." I was suggesting if she was interested that she could see past posts. I meant no disrespect.If you pull up an old but interesting thread and comment on it there is always someone to say "why are you on this thread it's old!" But then you start your own thread and someone has to say there are other threads out there...who cares!?
Also, if a hospital doesn't want to hire me then screw them, nurses can go on and get there NP degrees and go into business with fellow docs, PA'ssNP CCNA's etc. Amazing thing about being a nurse is all the opportunity!
I take very high doses steroids for a rare neuro-muscular disease and I have a very cushingoid appearance.....which is code for I have gained a ton of weight around the middle and have the roundest moon face I have ever seen. I cannot lift my arms over my head and brush my hair. I don't look in the mirror anymore.
As a "normal" person in a steroid body I can tell you that by personal experience I am treated differently as a fat person than I was as a non fat patient.
Yet suprisingly enough I am still the same person inside........I think all nurses need to recognize that shunning a particular population isn't productive and assumptions are not the way to care for the patients. When the alcoholc hasn't had a drink in 12 weeks they get a standing ovation.....when a fat person loses 12 pounds they get a pat on the back and told they have a lot more work to do.
Hummmm.....Last edit by Esme12 on May 9, '12
