There is an article in this months American Journal for Nursing about nurses showing more encouragement & compassion for obese/smoking patients instead of making the patients feel judged or guilty. I am a pre-nursing student and attempting to formulate a response to this article.
My first instinct when I read this was that it was really sweet, it certainly gave me the warm-and-fuzzies, but it is simply not practical. The United States' obesity epidemic is becoming worse and worse. Researchers now even believe that the avg life expectancy is on the decline for this very reason. I just don't understand why medical professionals are expected to sugar coat their medical advice. Sure, I wouldn't expect a nurse to say, "Holy cow, you're so FAT! Lose some weight!" but I don't see why it would be offensive for a nurse to say, "You need to lose 100 lbs or your diabetes will cost you your legs." In the article it suggested a nurse say something like, "Let's focus on the aspect of your weight issue that's within your control." Does this statement really reflect the severity of the situation? I believe that guilt can be a very powerful motivator in these cases. I don't see guilt being a bad thing when it comes to issues as important as health.
If you would like to just provide a general opinion, that would be great. If you don't mind your opinion potentially being used in my paper, please let me know and I'll send you a message to get more info. Thank you!
In fact, from what I understand, studies (even the one from the New England Journal of Medicine that was grossly misinterpreted by the CDC) show that people who are OVERWEIGHT - as in BMI of 25-29.9 have an equal or longer life expectancy on average, than those in the "normal" or "healthy" BMI range.
I do not understand how you can genuinely post that:confused:. I would go into comparative advantages and disadvantages but that wouldsimply take too long.
Disregarding other things- "feelings" alone should play a huge role.How do you feel?
Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.
Wow - that is how tricky the mind is. No matter how fat she is( and how much it affects her life and her kids) she sees herself as being a-ok. Very scary. I hope my mind never does that to me.
I would actually prefer alcohol or drugs. At least you can put those down and never touch them again. How many alcoholics could take three drinks and two shots a day for life and not fall off the wagon ? As an experiment I liquid-fasted while on vacay a few years back. I actually went without eating for 30 days and felt great. I didn't even miss food after a week. It was eye opening for me and helped me finally figure out my food devils.
I would actually prefer alcohol or drugs. At least you can put those down and never touch them again.
and therein lies the difference... a critical point.
other addictions demand that you never touch that particular vice, ever again.
food addicts HAVE to eat to live...
and this is where my compassion does take over. (yes, i'm fickle and ambivalent sometimes.)
another point the dr made (on the show), is the obese mom, had ultimately narrowed down her eating, to 1x/day...one meal (this is before the dr had seen her).
the dr. stated, that her metabolism had essentially shut down, thus packing on the lbs.
so, it is essential to have at least 3 meals daily, or 5-6 mini meals.
It's about people - you and I have been patients at some point in our lives and will be again. Stereotypes and misinformation affect us all.
If I'm not mistaken, this particular thread refers to "Compassion or reality for obese patients.?" . It is on this topic that we would, in all due respect, base this conversation on.
We will NOT traispe by bringing in subjects which have no bearing on this particular subject or in any way generalize. Thanks.
If I'm not mistaken, this particular thread refers to "Compassion or reality for obese patients.?" . It is on this topic that we would, in all due respect, base this conversation on.
We will NOT traispe by bringing in subjects which have no bearing on this particular subject or in any way generalize. Thanks.
How is a discussion about BMI and the general medical establishment's parameters for what is considered a healthy weight, in spite of evidence to the contrary, not relevant to the topic?
Katie5
1,459 Posts
I do not understand how you can genuinely post that:confused:. I would go into comparative advantages and disadvantages but that wouldsimply take too long.
Disregarding other things- "feelings" alone should play a huge role.How do you feel?