Obese people are handing out cards at doctor’s offices asking not to be weighed except in the most necessary circumstances – and yes, this is a real thing.
According to CNN, a non-profit “body positivity” group called More-Love.org created cards you can actually hand to your doctor asking them not to weigh you unless it’s “really medically necessary,” then telling them that you require giving them informed consent to step on the scale because it stresses you out.
The cards also include a list of reasons why it’s not necessary for a doctor to know your weight.
“Weighing me every time I come in for an appointment and talking about my weight like it’s a problem perpetuates weight stigma (a known and serious health risk),” the card states.
Because, as we all know, non-profit groups that give preference to people’s feelings probably know more about medicine than, you know, a doctor.
The group, which only charges shipping for the cards when sent to an individual, says they hope the gesture will help people who experience anxiety about being weighed at the doctor’s, and who may even avoid making an appointment altogether for fear of the scale.
"Because we live in a fatphobic society, being weighed and talking about weight causes feelings of stress and shame" the group’s website states. "Many people feel anxiety about seeing the doctor, and will avoid going to the doctor in order to avoid the scale."
"We want you to be supported in requesting healthcare that is free of weight bias," it continues. "The point is that it's an informed choice that we get to make. We don't have to step on the scale just because someone tells us to."
No, you step on the scale because your weight directly affects your health, and obesity poses an extensive list of health conditions ranging from heart attack and stroke to gallbladder problems, back and knee pain, sleep apnea, and depression - and that's just to name a very few.
Or, of course, we can just ignore all that because you "feel" stressed out about your weight and don't want to talk about it with a healthcare provider. Sounds perfectly normal and not at all insane.
Enjoy your diabetes.