AARP Hearing Center
How do I politely decline being weighed at the doctor’s office?
I understand why you may be uncomfortable having your weight taken at your doctor’s office. It’s not uncommon to be anxious, especially if you’ve been trying to lose weight and fear your efforts haven’t paid off. You’re not alone in this experience.
In a survey about their most recent health visit taken by 384 women of all different body sizes, more than half said that being asked to step on the scale made them feel bad about themselves. They reported that it negatively affected their self-esteem, mental health and emotional well-being.
Ask Dr. Adam
Adam B. Rosenbluth, M.D., is an internist and cardiologist in New York City. Each Monday, he’ll weigh in on your questions about how to make your body work better for you. His AARP book will be published in 2027.
Even though it may be uncomfortable, unless you have an eating disorder or a distorted body image, I suggest that skipping the scale may not be such a good idea. I consider knowing my patients’ weight to be a vital sign of their health. It’s as important as taking their blood pressure or sending their blood work to a lab.
If hearing your weight makes you feel uncomfortable, there are ways to get around it. For example, it’s appropriate for you to say to your doctor, “I don’t want to know the number. Please don’t tell me, and I don’t want to look at it either.”
When I have a patient facing the scale and they say, “Adam, I just don’t want to do this. I feel too embarrassed.” I turn to them and say, “That’s fine. You can close your eyes, or we’ll put you on the scale backwards. I promise I won’t tell you what it says.”
Of course, I can’t pick anyone up and put them on the scale, but I will reassure my patients that I never look at their weight as a cosmetic issue. I explain that I need to know how much they weigh to help interpret their blood work or to decide how much medication to prescribe.
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