Obese Nurses

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I am wondering if there is a weight requirement for nurses in Illinois. Is an obese nurse hirable?

BMI is an objective metric. It's a height-to-weight ratio. The problem is that we assign value to that without accounting for body fat percentage, weight stability, BP, insulin resistance, level of activity, etc. BMI alone is a useless number unless it is an extreme number. Even that website assumes that if you are heavier, it must be excess body fat.

The human body comes in a variety of natural sizes, shapes, musculatures, and body fat levels. We have an extremely distorted idea of what a healthy weight is, and we're usually judging other people by appearance, not weight, anyway.

Why Dieting Doesn't Usually Work

@7:30 When produce intake, smoking, activity level, and alcohol consumption are accounted for, mortality doesn't significantly change based on weight.

I'm pretty passionate about how weight stigma is bollocks. The failure of diets (and link with dieting at a young age to ending up heavier due to loss of natural hunger regulation) is also a reason I strongly oppose restricting intake and forcing exercise on "overweight" kids.

I'm not opposed to restricting intake in kids, but I love to see kids work up a good sweat with some nice hard play. It's good for their bodies and their minds.

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Although my weight and BMI are not so bad (and I've lost about 10 pounds) I would still be considered overweight according to the BMI chart. I am very thankful my workplace does not have a BMI limit. I am not okay with discrimination based on anything, including weight and smoking status. Although I do not like to see nurses and other health care professional smoke, and I don't like the fact that so many nurses are quite overweight, even obese. Many nurses became obese because of this damn career, and some nurses probably took up smoking also because of nursing. In a career with crappy hours and crappy working conditions, it's almost a given you'll gain weight. I put on 20 pounds from working as a nurse for 2 years, and now it's been almost 4 years. I knew I had to do something about it.[/quote']

We have a Biggest Loser Contest here at work, based completely on BMI.

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Oh yep, you're right! I typically use the fitness app on my iPod nano, then I sync it through iTunes. So funny — the whole time I was deployed I had no idea my iPod would measure my run. I just used it to listen to music while running! Lol.

I guess I don't understand the need for an app that tells you how far you've run as I map out my runs ahead of time and know how far I go. And the treadmill tells you as well.

I used to run with one of those cassette players and headphones to rock or harder-edged country.

:headphone:

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I guess I don't understand the need for an app that tells you how far you've run as I map out my runs ahead of time and know how far I go. And the treadmill tells you as well.

I used to run with one of those cassette players and headphones to rock or harder-edged country.

:headphone:

The value on that is the historical data, the ease of use as these devices track your movements regardless. I am a geek so any excuse to use technology is a good excuse. A lot of these apps have a social component that may help motivate people as you can go on virtual runs together, compete and even cheer in real time someone running :)

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Specializes in Allergy/ENT, Occ Health, LTC/Skilled.

I am sure BMI requirements for nursing jobs is not that far off. I quit smoking due to the no nicotine policies, which IS the best thing for me, but I worry how far this will go. My BMI is 21 but I know plenty of women who are the same height as me, weigh 20 lbs more, but are WAY more toned than I am, they look healthier too. Next we will get insurance rates based on family medical history and if you pose a greater risk than another person.

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Specializes in Registered Nurse.

I don't think weight is an issue for most hiring persons, but ya never know....personal preferences and all. If a person didn't think an over-weight nurse was good, I am sure she/he wouldn't tell the person that was an issue...you just wouldn't get hired, most likely.

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Yea, there's some pretty chubby font here.

Lol, not HERE... around Illinois. Or whatever. OP should go scout prospective employers' employees out :whistling:

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Specializes in Float Pool - A Little Bit of Everything.

I think as nurses it is important that we talk to, instead of talk at, our patients. So I feel that if I were being counseled or educated about my weight (I am not obese but just say I was) by a nurse who was taking the time to talk to me, and if she was overweight, maybe I would feel more comfortable knowing that she could relate to me, or that she could empathize, or that she wasn't judging me. :-)

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I'm not opposed to restricting intake in kids, but I love to see kids work up a good sweat with some nice hard play. It's good for their bodies and their minds.

Play is awesome. Physical activity is awesome. "Exercise" for kids is a chore, a punishment. I'm all for helping kids get healthier lifestyles (an some of them genuinely are unhealthy), but as someone who went way to far down a few rabbit holes, I believe people need to be extremely careful how they carry out these programs. Many of them increase stigma and shame, and while they may help some they are guaranteed to harm others.

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Play is awesome. Physical activity is awesome. "Exercise" for kids is a chore, a punishment. I'm all for helping kids get healthier lifestyles (an some of them genuinely are unhealthy), but as someone who went way to far down a few rabbit holes, I believe people need to be extremely careful how they carry out these programs. Many of them increase stigma and shame, and while they may help some they are guaranteed to harm others.

Agreed.

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We have a Biggest Loser Contest here at work, based completely on BMI.

Ah, Biggest Loser. Where I learned about the no eating or drinking, enemas, diuretics, hair cuts, and nail trims prior to weigh-in day. Because who wouldn't hit a BMI of 18 for $250,000?

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Ah, Biggest Loser. Where I learned about the no eating or drinking, enemas, diuretics, hair cuts, and nail trims prior to weigh-in day. Because who wouldn't hit a BMI of 18 for $250,000?

$500. :blink:

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