Disturbing Conversation on Overweight Healthcare Workers

[FutureDNP2021]

I overheard a disturbing conversation of nurses who were saying that overweight people should not be working in healthcare. They were basically saying that patients do not respect health advice or treatment from a worker who is unhealthy themselves. I am posting this topic because I wonder if this is a shared sentiment among the medical field? Or from patients? Or has anyone experienced anything related to this? Like getting fired, or discriminated by either pateints or a facility and such? Are there ever clauses in facility contracts that employees must maintain optimal heath to represent the industry's interest? (I am in Vegas & yes casinos do enforce waitresses/dealers with a +/- 5 lbs. original hiring weight monitoring weekly). I hope this is not what nursing school meant by "take care of ourselves before we can take care of others." Honestly, I dont think like this but wonder if others in healthcare do? Is this really a "thing?"

BTW, they were referencing a theme of nurses who gained weight from emotional overeating. They were not referencing a physiological underlying condition. ~ Thank You ~

Why Are So Many Nurses and Healthcare Workers Overweight and Unhealthy?

[video=youtube_share;4W9insJ8ko0]

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

I've noticed much "judginess" on this thread. I think it's helpful not to think of obesity and its causes as a chronic condition that may have many different sources. Yes, some people may just be lazy and undisciplined, but many others are simply wired that way:

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/02/health/biggest-loser-weight-loss.html?_r=0

Furthermore, even though someone may appear to be overweight, that just may be the way they are meant to be. Many people who would be considered "fat" from a strictly esthetic perspective are quite fit. Believe me, I know. I've trained for and completed 13 marathons and there are all shapes and sizes out there...many who post better times than mine (PR 4:19.)

Yep. I know a couple of "overweight" marathon runners. They could put a lot of these judgey people to shame in terms of physical fitness. I cannot not even imagine being able to run 26 miles in a single outing.

[dawniepoo]

Being morbidly obese is a completely different animal.

In what way? Does being morbidly obese change your opinion of who they are or whether they can be good nurses?

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

In what way? Does being morbidly obese change your opinion of who they are or whether they can be good nurses?

Absolutely not. It changes my opinion about whether or not they can be fit and healthy. Talk about taking something completely out of context! I never said anything about weight and correlation to character or professional abilities.

[Libby1987]

I've decided what I hate about these threads is not only the prejudices but also the justification. Neither should happen.

We're not talking about fit powerhouses, we're talking about indisputable high risk obesity (True the thread title is misleading but these threads are always end about weight that affects mobility, endurance and risk metabolic syndrome).

My obese coworkers are visibly and significantly impacted by their weight. Walking across the office is labored and/or painful. Every single one eats in a way that is obviously a major contributing factor (i.e. large portions Chinese take out is a regular around the office). The working conditions are not the cause.

We should neither be justifying nor criticizing. The truth is, it's complicated and everyone is on their own journey doing the best they are able for whatever reasons that are not ours to judge. (On the flip side, this also means we shouldn't be judging Joe Public and the way they feed and manage their over weight sedentary kids, which if everyone is honest is a very hard thing to resist).

For the critical out there, learn about insulin resistance and look to our general understanding and attitudes towards public health and the current recommended high carb diets.

Leave the individuals in peace and regard them with respect and care.

[honeyforasalteyfish]

It's an absurd argument.

Nurses that are to obese to do the job fine keep them out, but that is a slim category of people. Pun intended.

Most people comment how slim, and skinny I look. You know what though I am technically overweight slightly at 5'11 190 pounds.

I think the standards of fitness we go by is absolutely absurd.

The nurses health decisions are their own as long as they do not endanger the people they care for.

Barring that I see no reason why preach patients rights about deciding their healthcare if you intend to revoke that right from healthcare workers.

[K9lover, ASN, RN]

Actually what I took exception to is anothers' remark that "maybe they should take up coke." It seems all too acceptable to bash anyone with any other history of addiction and we hear it all of the time since there is no scarlet 'A' on our foreheads indicating who drank or did whatever else.

Tis true one need never come in contact with any of it however I would not go as far as saying putting easy in same sentence with quitting smoking.

[rymes]

Personally I have found using my struggles with weight loss a good tool, that I can use to help my patients. They seem to appreciate the honesty of talking about the struggle of how to lose the weight. We don't need to tell them they are overweight, believe me they know. We need to encourage them to try to make small changes to better their health, whether that is weight loss or just upping the exercise, quitting smoking....

[Mayan.RN]

OP: I'd say those nurses chatting about this were thinking like a layperson, not a healthcare professional.

It would certainly be ironic for a nurse or physician clearly struggling with their own weight to educate a patient on healthy eating/lifestyle habits, for example - yet barring the fact that the provider should be 'taking their own advice', said advice is no less accurate or helpful than if it were conveyed by another provider in better physical shape.

There is no sense in pretending that we never 'judge a book by it's cover' in our professional or civilian lives, but that lackadaisical mindset on its own falls very short of providing a comprehensive understanding of fellow human beings.

^This is regarding overweight to obese individuals capable of performing their job and without debilitating comorbidity.

The morbidly obese, and those functionally impaired by their weight have to win that battle before they can contribute to the care of another person - not because they are bad nurses or lack a strong skillset, but because beyond a certain point you become more of a liability than a relief to the healthcare system and to your patients.

[RNhelenwheels16]

Hello,

I have experienced prejudice against me as a health care professional because of my weight many times. I've never been a string bean, but my problems with weight were worsened when I worked 12 hour shifts, was not able to eat and take breaks, then go home and eat a big meal because I was starved. Eating fast, and not eating mindfully doesn't help. I'm not diabetic, my lipids are excellent but I'm overweight. I'm trying to work on losing weight but it doesn't help when people assume I'm an idiot because I'm obese. Its been a challenge looking for work too when I have 25-26 years experience in nursing and all they do is look at me and not my resume. I also have joint problems which is exacerbated by being obese but I also served in the military for 24 years and wore out my knees. After I retired, I could not work on the floor because my knees and back were toast. My back recovered but my knees haven't. Losing weight is a challenge with hypothyroidism and I won't sugar coat it. Its hard and one is not on a level playing field with those who do not have thyroid issues. But I'm not gaining anymore and the scale is slowly going down. But it still doesn't help when I'm looked at as an idiot and not for what I contribute to clinical practice.

[Palliative Care, DNP]

One of the reasons I had weight loss surgery was to be a better example to patients. I was 225 lbs and I am now 167. I have definitely lived the struggle. I can now honestly explain the benefits of weight loss and the impact it's made on my health for the better.

As parents, my husband and I lived the college educations we want our children to emulate. Not saying patients are our children merely pointing out they are more apt to listen when we are examples.

[AllOfMyWat]

I prefer a nurse with a similar lifestyle to mine, but as it turns out, there's a hiring shortage of size six Jews married to Christians who eat organic diets and practice moderation and occasional fasting.

I don't care if my nurse is fat. I care about my needs being met.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

One of the reasons I had weight loss surgery was to be a better example to patients. I was 225 lbs and I am now 167. I have definitely lived the struggle. I can now honestly explain the benefits of weight loss and the impact it's made on my health for the better.

As parents, my husband and I lived the college educations we want our children to emulate. Not saying patients are our children merely pointing out they are more apt to listen when we are examples.

You took on all the risks of SURGERY to be a better example to patients?

Frankly, I don't care THAT much if patients don't think I'm a good example. I have information to share with them that they may or may not already have. That's called patient education. If they choose not to heed the information because they don't like my body, that is certainly their choice. It's an ignorant choice, but the choice is theirs. Whatever choice they make, I have done my part by providing them with the information. I have no obligation to achieve a body habitus that they approve of.

I think there is such a thing as going too far . . .