Holiday time involves gathering and feasting, providing opportunities to taste new foods and indulge in traditional ones like turkey, mashed potatoes, pies and other seasonal delights like fruitcake. But it often equates to gaining a few pounds. For people with post-holiday doctor appointments, having to get on the scale can equal unpleasantness. But doctors don’t make us do this to torture us. There are valid reasons why patients are asked to step on the scale. Find out why having “the weight conversation” with your doctor is essential for health – and what weight and BMI numbers indicate.
Taboo Topics
As kids, we are taught that some questions are off limits. They include asking adults:
- How old are you?
- How much money do you make?
- When are you going to get married (or have a baby)?
- Who did you vote for?
- How much do you weigh?
A proper time & place
Children typically ask direct questions out of innocence and curiosity, so it’s sensible to explain that some questions are inappropriate to ask adults. Weight is one of those “sensitive” topics that adults mainly dislike discussing, even with one another. Many people cringe at the famous Auto insurance commercial, whereby a wife asks her distracted husband, “Honey, does this dress make me look fat?” Not only does it highlight the distressing nature of the question, but it also focuses on his inadequate response. Most people agree that size and how we look and feel matters. However, it’s not always easy to discuss. When we go to the doctor, it’s time to set aside our uneasiness – because what we weigh gives doctors some valuable insight into our health.
Weight as a measure of health
Doctors can tell a lot about health by examining an individual’s weight. Optimal weight can demonstrate good health, whereas being underweight or overweight can indicate poor lifestyle or health problems. Optimal weight also puts less stress on the body. But here’s a valid point to know: Weight is not the only factor doctors consider when assessing the overall health of their patients. Per the Mayo Clinic, “Other factors play a role as well, such as how active you are and the amount of muscle versus fat you have in the body.” Weight alone, albeit important, is simply one variable that doctors examine when assessing a patient’s overall health.
What is BMI?
People who see their physicians regularly have probably heard of BMI. This stands for body mass index. Health care professionals look at the effect of a person’s weight on their health using BMI calculations. Essentially, doctors divide weight in kilograms by a person’s height in meters squared. Should the values or results fall outside of normal range, it may indicate a health problem. The goal is to be in that normal, healthy range. Mayo Clinic makes it easy for people to determine their BMI using an online calculator. One must simply enter their age, sex, height, weight, and waist size to gain results. Mayo Clinic shares that BMI values between 18.5 and 24.9 are considered normal, values between 25 and 30 are considered overweight, and values greater than 30 are considered obese. They point out that BMI is just one piece of a puzzle and does not consider individual factors like lifestyle or bone or muscle mass. Therefore, some people may have a healthy percentage of body fat despite having a BMI that exceeds the normal range. This is why people should not simply rely on numbers, rather consult a physician for professional evaluation.
What influences weight?
Genes, age, sex, lifestyle, family habits, culture, sleep, and even where people live and work can affect weight, according to National Institute on Aging. Keeping weight within a “normal range” is important for people as they live, grow older, and age healthfully. Medical experts point out that elevated body mass index (BMI) in older adults can increase the likelihood of developing health problems to include diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke. Low BMI can also lead to problems like anemia, osteoporosis, and increased challenges recovering from illness or infection. Doctors can help patients evaluate influences of weight and BMI and establish patterns that promote fitness and health as needed.
Is my weight within healthy range?
The answer is not as cut and dry as one might think. To ascertain whether you are in a healthy weight range, consult your doctor. To reiterate the point, National Institute on Aging wants folks to know that weight ranges for older adults are different than other age groups, so the number on the scale – and even using online BMI calculators, tell only a part of the story. They offer this example, “…older adults with a normal weight may have more fat and less muscle compared to others who are slightly overweight. Always talk to your doctor before trying to lose or gain weight.”
Being underweight
Being underweight means that a person’s body mass is below the normal range for optimal health. It might be the result of poor nutrition, illness or disease, or another cause. Note that some people are genetically thin and this can be normal. Per Cleveland Clinic, being underweight may result in some of the following symptoms:
- Weakness and fatigue
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Low pulse and blood pressure
- Hair thinning or hair loss
- Getting sick a lot and taking longer to recover
- Irritability, apathy, or depression
- Irregular periods or missing periods
- Trouble getting pregnant
Why care?
People should care about their weight as it can influence their health. For instance, being seriously underweight is dangerous. It is particularly important to seek prompt medical care if experiencing sudden or rapid weight loss or medical symptoms. For unexplained weight loss, a physician will likely order medical tests to rule out conditions such as malabsorption disorder or other illness or disease. Patients who are underweight are encouraged to be upfront with their doctors to get the care they need and deserve.
Your doctor is your partner in health
A person should tell their primary care physician if they lack access to food, face a food aversion, have an eating disorder, or have physical difficulties with eating. A good doctor should be nonjudgemental and offer hope, helpful resources, and medical support as needed.
Being underweight & anemia
Anemia is when you have low levels of healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout your body. Anemia can happen to people who are not getting enough proper nutrients like iron, vitamin B-12 and folate. Though malnutrition can lead to anemia, it can also be caused by malabsorption of nutrients, blood loss, or various underlying health conditions. Anemia should be medically addressed.
Being underweight & osteoporosis
Per Healthline, “Low body weight may increase your risk for low bone mineral density (BMD) and osteoporosis.” Osteoporosis is a condition characterized by low bone mass and the breakdown of bone tissue. So, when you have it, bones become weaker. Risk factors include being smaller or thinner than average and failing to get enough proper nutrients. There are also other risk factors to developing osteoporosis such as age, gender, family history, specific health conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes, and medications.
Being underweight & recovery
Underweight individuals tend to have lower stamina overall. They are at increased risk of developing weaker immune systems, leaving them prone to infections and health complications, which includes slower healing times.
The flip side
Being overweight is frequently associated with lack of exercise, a poor diet, overeating, or a combination. Sometimes that can be the case, but it is not always to blame. Gaining weight can also be the result of illness, disease, medications and other factors. Carrying too much weight is problematic as it increases risk of developing conditions like heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and stroke. Those are serious health risks and consequences associated with being overweight. Extra weight puts stress on joints and can lead to pain and stiffness of the body as well.
Sudden or unexpected weight gain (or other fluctuations) should also be promptly reported to a doctor as it may indicate a health issue.
Excess weight & heart disease
Per the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIDDK, part of the United States National Institutes of Health operating under the Department of Health and Human Services, heart disease is a term used to describe several health problems that affect the heart, such as heart attack, heart failure, angina, or abnormal heart rhythm. When people are heavy (overweight), the heart must work harder to send blood to all the cells of the body. Therefore, losing weight can likely lower the risk of developing heart disease.
Excess weight & type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a disease that occurs when blood glucose (also called blood sugar) is too high. Per NIDDK, nearly 9 out of 10 people with type 2 diabetes have overweight or obesity. Over time, high blood glucose can negatively affect the body, putting people at risk of stroke, eye problems, nerve damage, kidney disease, heart disease and more. Talk to your doctor about routine screenings for prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. Also learn how diet, exercise, and/or medication can positively impact your health for the prevention or management of this prevalent disease of the adult population.
Excess weight & high blood pressure
High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is a common condition that affects the body’s arteries. Folks with high blood pressure have a problem as the force of the blood pushing against the artery walls is consistently too high. This means that the body must work harder to pump blood. Untreated high blood pressure can have negative health consequences, such as raising risk of stroke or heart attack. Having high blood pressure is linked with obesity. People are encouraged to monitor their weight to maintain optimal health.
Excess weight & stroke
High blood pressure is a major risk factor of stroke, a medical emergency that requires immediate intervention to prevent long-term disability or death. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures and bleeds or when there’s a blockage in the blood supply to the brain. Maintaining a moderate weight can help people manage their blood pressure. Note that some people may also need to take prescription meds to help lower blood pressure and reduce stress on blood vessels.
Per Healthline, a person having a stroke may experience:
- Speech difficulty
- Face drooping or numbness
- Weakness/paralysis on one side of the body
- Difficulty seeing or walking
- Confusion
- A severe headache
If showing signs of stroke, get immediate help.
Weight & aging
As people grow older, metabolism typically changes. Metabolism refers to the process by which the body changes food and drink to energy and the rate at which the body expends energy or burns calories. A high metabolism means that the body burns more calories at rest and during activity. Typically, metabolism is relatively stable from about age 20 to 60, and then it undergoes a gradual decline, decreasing by about 0.7% to 1% per year thereafter. Slowdown of metabolism in older people can likely be attributed to the aging factor and declines in physical activity, loss of muscle mass, and possibly other factors. Elderly people are encouraged to see their doctor regularly to monitor health and weight, exercise to keep the body in shape, and intake adequate nutrients through proper diet. It’s also advisable to visit the doctor regularly for wellness checks and monitor weight for health benefits.
Discussing your weight with your doctor
Weight and size are often taboo subjects, but they shouldn’t be between a patient and doctor. Maintaining an optimal weight range is a vital part of health and wellness. Being underweight or overweight can indicate lifestyle or health issues. Having an unhealthy weight can make people sick and/or prolong healing. So, when your physician asks you to step on the scale, it’s in your best interest to do so. Most often, eating healthy foods, cutting excess calories, and being physically active can significantly improve health. However, some people require therapies and/or medications to achieve optimal weight. Because a single approach isn’t effective for everyone, being transparent and communicative with your doctor is the best way to get and stay healthy.
Disclosure: This article is purely informational and is not medically reviewed. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your doctor about your healthcare needs.
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