#I wasn’t aware it was a more widespread phenomenon in usamerican writing culture that’s like. so weird. | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

badolmen · 2 years ago

Text

This post was (rightfully) addressing a US-centric focus on height and weight but I do want to point something out:

To my understanding weight checks aren’t explicitly for the purpose of calculating BMI (a bullshit eugenics metric that shouldn’t be used by medical professionals but is, unfortunately); they’re to make sure your weight remains relatively stable. Sudden major changes in weight (up or, of more immediate concern, down) can be indicative of serious health problems from digestive issues to cancer. I’m not doubting that some doctors are fatphobic and purposefully distressing their patients about their weights, but there is a reason to regularly check your patient’s weight for drastic fluctuations during a basic check up - especially because many serious digestive issues aren’t openly discussed or brought up by patients who feel embarrassed about it.

#ra speaks #personal #doctors #medical care #weights #tbh the post was discussing the ‘im x weight and y height’ descriptors in usamerican writing #which always felt very. juvenile to me? I feel like I’ve only ever seen it in younger peoples writing or new writers writing #I wasn’t aware it was a more widespread phenomenon in usamerican writing culture that’s like. so weird.#anyways back to the point the only reason my grandpa found out about his cancer was bc of a regular weight check up that forced the doctor #to ask him about his bowel movements/digestive issues. he lived decades after treatment he might not have gotten if no one ever checked if #his weight was staying stable.#sometimes it’s like damn I can’t believe that doctor treated me that way and then I check out other usamerican horror stories and it’s like #ohhhh nevermind that’s like. so much worse. do people actually act like this?#the average doctor is not weighing you to shame you they’re weighing you to make sure you don’t have like. a billion tapeworms.

6 notes · View notes