Health and size

The Associated Press had an interesting story overnight (it appears in this morning's Toronto Star) that shakes up a few medical assumptions.

It seems being overweight is not necessarily an automatic indicator of poor heart health. In fact, the chances of weight being an issue are only about 50-50.

In the study, about 51 per cent of overweight adults, or roughly 36 million people nationwide, had mostly normal levels of blood pressure, cholesterol, blood fats called triglycerides and blood sugar. Almost one-third of obese adults, or nearly 20 million people, also were in this healthy range, meaning that none or only one of those measures was abnormal. Yet about a fourth of adults in the recommended-weight range had unhealthy levels of at least two of these measures. That means some 16 million of them are at risk for heart problems.

I would expect this study to generate some controversy. Already one Star reader has posted a comment online pointing out that the risk factors for health problems are higher than for people in the recommended weight range.

But the point of the study is that being oversized might not be as automatic an indicator of problems as previously thought.

What makes that interesting is the growing number of doctors refusing to see patients who smoke or are overweight — saying that if the patients won't help themselves, there's not much they can do for them.

In a recent posting to this blog, a nursing student asked, "Do you think its fair that people who take care of themselves pay the same taxes as people who don't?" Adding: "There has to come a time where people stop relying on our `great healthcare system' and start relying on themselves."

If this study is to be believed, however, such judgements might be premature.

Comments

[Kate Crites]

Judging others based on their lifestyles can lead to unfair assumptions and cruel perceptions. Should the patient who struggles in life with addictions be denied the same health services as those who have been dealt an easier path in life? (social and/or genetic). Should homosexuals, sunlovers, people with mental illnesses, victims of abuse, those with low metabolisms, etc., be charged higher health premiums because of their risks. Who has the right to decide who is worthy. Once we start judging people based on lifestyle, pity the poor patient who doens't eat bran, jog daily, wear sunscreen, practice yoga and follow all of his Drs. instructions (weather they're good for him or not). If one does not follow the latest medical trends/advice, is he less worthy of treatment? Pity the patients that nurse cares for.

[Farrah]

Why judgmental and biased individuals choose the healthcare profession is beyond me, but they're sure not doing it because they want to 'help' anyone. Giving up on patients and deeming them unworthy of time, care and medical advice is terrible, if not downright disgusting. As a healthcare professional, I am deeply ashamed to know that people who are viewed as my colleagues propagate such stereotypes.