Doctor knows best — yeah, right.

A New York Times article asked the question, Overweight people already know they are overweight. So should doctors keep nagging them to lose pounds?

I have thought about this subject many times. I know fat friends that have had this experience. No matter what they go in for, the doctors always end up talking about their weight and how they need to trim down. “That’s nice doctor, but I only came in for a pap smear.” This statement, and others like it, shouldn’t have to come out of our mouths.

I have even had the experience of a Fat doctor, one that was way bigger than me, lecture me about losing weight. He didn’t even do it in a joking manner — which is a least appreciated. Something like, “I know it’s hard — just look at me!” At least that would take the hypocrisy out of it.

Now, I understand if a doctor has to bring up the weight issue because whatever I have is ONLY because of my weight, but if it isn’t that shouldn’t be your catch-all. Actually try to do your job and not use my weight as a scapegoat for your inadequate practices. Thank you.

Doctor Rob, in his blog “Musings of a Distractible Mind,” said that he still tries to help patients to lose weight, but he is concerned that a “culture of accusation and shame” is making matters worse for them:

The idea that their personal worth lies on their BMI is extremely damaging. There are a lot of screwed-up skinny people out there; just look at super-models. It is a lot easier to lose weight when you actually like yourself and want to do something about your health. Our culture of accusation and shame simply makes obese people hate themselves. If you hate yourself, why should you want to take care of your body?

Is obesity a problem? Sure it is. But we need to get off of our self-righteous pulpits. Obese people should not be made into a group of outcasts. The “them” mentality and the finger-wagging are no more than insecure people trying to feel better by putting down others.

I agree with most of what he is saying — that we are outcasts because of our fat, and people do need to check their attitudes. Making us feel even worse because we are fat isn’t helping — usually hurting more — driving some to eat away how they feel. They aren’t helping, they are making matters worse.

I would have to disagree with the whole “Is obesity a problem?” Well, what kind of problem. One that we need to wage a war against, no.

Technically, by the medical definition, I am obese. If I ever tell anyone this, they go, “No way.” Well, yes way. I am obese and I don’t think that I am a problem. I am not something that needs to be fixed. I love my body, including every cellulite dimple, and I do take care of my body, doc.

Some doctors treat us just by seeing our FAT and until they see us as people first, nothing is going to change.