Refusing Weight Checks at Your Doctor Only Harms Your Health

My office is across from the station we use in our clinic to measure vital signs. When I leave my door open, I can overhear patients interact with the medical assistant as they are checked in. I am shocked by the number of patients, usually women, who refuse to have their weight measured as part of the intake process. This may have serious consequences. As one of my professors taught us in medical school, vital signs are just that: vital. They are extremely important and each and every one can tell us much about the state of a patient's health. These vital signs include blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, blood oxygen level, height, and weight. In my office, we also measure neck size as it can have implications for the risk of sleep apnea. Doctors use this information to direct their questioning and, ultimately, the therapy meant to improve your health. Refusing weight checks is unwise. When patients are overweight or obese, there is often a psychological stigma associated with this assessment. These individuals may feel like they are a failure. It may be associated with intense shame. It may feel better not to even think about it. This is not healthy. Visiting the doctor's office is a chance to check on your weight, even to discuss ways to lose weight. Ideally, weight would be checked daily at home on a scale. This would allow a more immediate accountability to the prior day's eating and exercise habits. It also provides positive reinforcement when the weight is...
Source: About Sleep Disorders - Category: Sleep Medicine Source Type: news