Woman here, for 40 years the first thing my primary doctors’ assistants would do was weigh me, then they asked the date of my last menstrual period. Okay, name and date of birth were in there too somewhere. It’s all boxes on their forms. Last time they also measured my height. I’ve lost an inch, which sucks, but at least they don’t ask me about periods anymore.
No, are you sure you’re going to a doctor? They weigh you for medication purposes. If you end up needing some medication, they need to know what you weigh to get the dosage correct.
So… why?
I am confused because I have a completely different experience and also have no idea what the doctor would do with the information.
Typically he is already pretty busy with more important stuff during the five minute or so timeslot he has normally reserved for me.
Sudden or rapid weight gain or loss can certainly indictate other health problems. I’m guessing you’re in Europe? Being weighed is standard practice in the US at every appointment. Maybe it’s just for tracking obesity nationwide, or could be for insurance purposes (the provider’s insurance, not the patient’s).
Yes, I’m from Europe (Germany).
Healthcare is somewhat different in the U.S. for sure, so that might well be the reason for the differing experiences here…
It’s for medicine doses as well. I’m not going to be given the same amount of meds as my wife since she’s 115lbs and I’m 215. If they have your weight then they can properly prescribe meds.
As has been determined by another comment, I’m afraid this impression might be a case of US-defaultism.
At least some sort of interesting regional habit, unknown in different parts of the world.
What kind of doctor would that be?
I have never been weighed at the doctor since early childhood.
Woman here, for 40 years the first thing my primary doctors’ assistants would do was weigh me, then they asked the date of my last menstrual period. Okay, name and date of birth were in there too somewhere. It’s all boxes on their forms. Last time they also measured my height. I’ve lost an inch, which sucks, but at least they don’t ask me about periods anymore.
Interesting.
I am male. So perhaps gender-specific treatment for some reason?
No, are you sure you’re going to a doctor? They weigh you for medication purposes. If you end up needing some medication, they need to know what you weigh to get the dosage correct.
My general practitioner has always just taken my self reported weight
Yes, that also happens to me during routine checkups!
Part of the slightly embarrassing standard questions:
“What’s your weight?
Do you smoke?
How often do you consume alcohol?
Are you sexually active?
…”
That may be it.
I fortunately never needed any non-standard medication that required tailoring to fit to my body mass up to now.
So could just be that I am the lucky one here.
I am not sure if I now should be happy or concerned about it though…
Very interesting honestly, I’ve never been put on any medications and always have been weighed when getting a normal checkup.
So… why?
I am confused because I have a completely different experience and also have no idea what the doctor would do with the information.
Typically he is already pretty busy with more important stuff during the five minute or so timeslot he has normally reserved for me.
Sudden or rapid weight gain or loss can certainly indictate other health problems. I’m guessing you’re in Europe? Being weighed is standard practice in the US at every appointment. Maybe it’s just for tracking obesity nationwide, or could be for insurance purposes (the provider’s insurance, not the patient’s).
Yes, I’m from Europe (Germany).
Healthcare is somewhat different in the U.S. for sure, so that might well be the reason for the differing experiences here…
It’s for medicine doses as well. I’m not going to be given the same amount of meds as my wife since she’s 115lbs and I’m 215. If they have your weight then they can properly prescribe meds.
All doctors. Literally every kind of doctor visit.
Strange… Completely different experience for me.
Blood pressure: sure, often.
Analyzing blood sample: sometimes.
But weight? Virtually never.
Sole exception might have been before a surgery with anesthesia (can’t remember, was too nervous).
But I wouldn’t call that a “doctor visit”…
Every doctor, every time, not matter what.
As has been determined by another comment, I’m afraid this impression might be a case of US-defaultism.
At least some sort of interesting regional habit, unknown in different parts of the world.