AMEN TO THAT I BEEN TRY TO LOOSE WEIGHT TO MAIN TAIN A HEALTHY WEIGHT BUT ALWAYS I HATE THE MONTH OF JANUARY BECASUE THE NEW YEAR RESOLUTION  IT GETS ME ALLT HE TIME  OR THE DIET PILLS  I HATE THAT ALOT THEY SHOW REALLY SKINNY GIRLS ON THE TV THEY NEVER SHOW FAT WOMEN TO DO THAT OOOO THAT ERKS ME ALOT 

I assume that most overweight people appreciate the 'concern' expressed by others- and especially their own physician(s)- but when it seems that weight is the MAIN focus at EVERY appointment (no matter what type of doctor one is seeing), it becomes distracting and, yes, irritating!  Believe me, people who are overweight KNOW that they are overweight, and DON'T need to constantly be reminded about that fact!  Especially if the reason for their weight gain is something that they cannot completely control with just proper eating and exercise (certain medical conditions and medications can be responsible for causing weight gain). 

One thing that I would LOVE to see changed is the timing of the "weigh-in" at each appointment with a doctor; it is always the FIRST thing that is done, and sometimes even before the patient is shown to an exam room!  Doing this only sets the patient up for the inevitable "lecture" that they know will be forthcoming from the Dr., which then has the potential to increase the patient's blood pressure, as well; again, before the Dr. even enters the room!

While I realize that the patient's weight is an important number to know (for prescribing meds., etc.), it is my opinion that it could be done at any point AFTER the Dr. examines the patient, and discusses any issues/concerns.  That way, the patient can remain calm, and NOT be distracted with thoughts about the "number" that they saw on the scale, so that they can more clearly focus on the topic(s) that they want/need to discuss with their Dr.     

And, one more point to add to my original comment: Since a lot of people have the problem known as "white coat syndrome"- where their b.p. becomes elevated at the beginning of their appointment- it is also my opinion that b.p. readings should be taken AFTER the exam, and AFTER all issues have been discussed, since the patient should then be feeling more calm, relaxed, positive, and reassured! 

There is so much more to a person than their BMI. Which by the way is not accurate in the way it is measured according to some chart created by an insurance company. Muscle weighs five times more than fat. And who says anyway that we all must fit some cookie cutter image? The whole thing drives me nuts.

And besides, with the diet industry making billions a year selling their products etc. wouldn't we think everyone in the good USofA would look like stick figures! But no....because there isn't a truth to it.

We just need to eat REAL FOOD. Relax......and not stress so much. Our relationship in this country with food is terrible. Food is not the enemy......fake food is.

lucylamb27 you have made some very important points that make perfect sense.

Thanks, deannerm, and I agree with your statement that we are so much MORE than our BMI (and/or a number on a scale!).  Dr. Lisa also made a great point during the show, when she said that MORE sensitivity is needed when Dr.'s discuss weight issues with their patients.  While, as Dr. Jim mentioned, it is a Dr.'s "duty" to provide information and advice to their patients, this MUST be done in such a way as to NOT "beat the patient up" in the process!  As the old saying goes: "It's not always WHAT you say, but HOW you say it"! 

While no one is suggesting that they completely ignore or sidestep the issue, they should approach it in a manner that does NOT place blame, shame, or guilt on the patient.  The weight issues, alone, are a struggle, so why make the situation any more difficult by adding mental stress, too?  As "deannerm" previously mentioned, perhaps the constant, repetitive admonishment in regard to weight and food topics is a large part of the problem...rather than being part of the solution to the problem? 

So, take heed, all of you doctors and nurses out there: be aware of whether or not the patient is even receptive to your good intentions in the first place, and then express your concern and offer your assistance in an APPROPRIATE way!             

"And besides, with the diet industry making billions a year selling their products etc."

I couldn't have said it better myself!  Instead of me going into a long diatribe about this, you've said it succinctly!

No one makes money off of diet pills, diet potions, diet plans, diet food deliveries, diet books, TV shows, etc by saying this:

Eat real, unprocessed foods.  Increase your veggie intake.  Decrease or eliminate junk food, soda, fast food (make them an occasional treat if you'd like; if you can do without them, even better).  Drink plenty of water.  Move more, sit less.  Reduce stress...this includes obsessing about weight!!!

That is how simple it is!  It's free info.  But you can't profit from that.

Instead, the diet industry is full of super-complicated meal plans (eat this the first week, do this the second, eliminate this the third week, only eat this the fourth week even if you don't like those foods, and on and on and on).  The diet industry is designed to make you feel bad or feel shame if you don't look a certain way, telling you what you CAN'T eat and what is FORBIDDEN to eat as opposed to focusing on health and changing your lifestyle to the point where you DON'T want those foods,  they're not forbidden, you just don't crave them anymore.  Instead, once you CHEAT or cave in to those forbidden foods, you feel shame and guilt and "fall off the wagon," only to pick up another diet gimmick soon after...the vicious cycle continues...and the diet industry profits. 

Diet plans, books, subscriptions, pills, etc are DESIGNED FOR FAILURE so you remain hooked on yo-yo dieting and buying more and more products.  

(Looks like I went into my diatribe anyway!  Couldn't help it...)

The is sooo much to BMI than the weight seriously. I am declared obese as my BMI is over 40.different thing about me is that, even though i eat fat free yoghurt and fat free milk and barely eat processed meat and cheese, i still gain weight.It really is presurising if you eat this and cut yourself that but still do not loose.

I am more active than any other skinny looking friends and people I know. I can do so many things that other skinny or middle body people cant do. I weight 114kg and my main weight gain part is my thighs and bum.with both of them big, I can do a full split and can jump and run as well. People wonder how is that possible and I simply say

"I DONT FEEL THE WAY I LOOk".