Doctor, Please Don’t Weigh Me.
Ever since you were young, I’m sure you were well aware of how every time you visit the doctor’s office (even for appointments unrelated to a yearly physical exam!), you’re asked to step on the scale. However, have you ever asked your provider why you’re being weighed? How does your weight (truly an arbitrary number) have anything to do with the reason for your visit?
Thankfully, you have the power to change this conversation. Yes - you can say no to the scale at the doctor’s office! Now this might sound scary and intimidating, but more and more folks are taking a stand against what has turned into quite a harmful act against those with body image and other weight-related struggles. Registered dietitians are especially helpful at providing information on how to calmly have a conversation with your primary care provider for why you do not want to be weighed in. The biggest thing to wrap your head around is… your weight is not an indicator of your health status. Unfortunately, many of today’s healthcare workers (doctors and/or nurses) are not trained in weight-inclusive care, so you might have to take things a step further and advocate for yourself. You deserve to be respected! So what can you do??
Shift the conversation. This is especially important if your provider is asking you why you don’t want to be weighed; calmly explain that you are no longer using weight as an indicator of your health. Ask them to focus more on your symptoms, running labs, and other medical testing. It is also very important to be transparent with your provider at this time if you have any previous history with weight-related struggles; then, your provider would know that your request is coming from a place of authenticity and vulnerability.
Be confident in your request. You are the one in charge! If your provider is giving you pushback, you have the choice to seek out more weight-inclusive care. Especially in the medical field, it is extremely important to seek out supportive and compassionate care; your doctor should never create any added stress and/or anxiety.
Do a blind weigh-in. Honestly, this is a last-resort type of tool if you absolutely need to get weighed in. If your weight is being monitored for a specific reason (perhaps kidney conditions, medication based on weight, treatment protocol for eating disorders, etc.), be sure you know exactly why you are being weighed. Continue to ask your provider questions throughout the process because if you do not know why you are being weighed, your doctor is doing you a disservice. You have a right to know!
(Lopez, 2022)
Remember - you are in control. Your voice is strong and powerful, and your visit to the doctor does not have to stir up so much anxiety when it comes to getting weighed!
If you don’t want to step on the scale… then don’t!
Lopez, W. (2022, February, 10). You don’t have to be weighed in at the doctor’s office. The Food Network. https://www.foodnetwork.com/healthyeats/healthy-tips/you-dont-have-to-be-weighed-at-doctor