I just started nursing school and there is a girl in my section who must weigh almost 400lbs. When we introduced ourselves in class (teachers made us in every class, made me feel like I was in kinder-garden again) she said she wanted to become a nurse because of all of her experiences in the hospitals, she said she's been in and out of hospitals because of health related issues. She mentioned something about being an advocate of health at every size???? I was confused, I, and I'm sure everyone else in the class, thought that she was saying you can be healthy at any size which I think is a crock honestly, I am obese and I know it every time I climb a flight of stairs, and when the doctor gives me dirty looks whenever she checks my blood pressure, and every time I have chest pains even though I'm only 22. It's not healthy to be overweight, period. I think I may have misunderstood though. I tried to look it up and it says it's about losing weight for health purposes only and not for aesthetic reasons, which I think is kind of a cover up for low self esteem or embarrassment about being overweight. It's like saying "hey, I'm trying to lose weight but not because I don't like the way I look, only because it is unhealthy". I just don't think anyone needs to explain to anyone else why they are losing weight.
Does anyone else know what this "health at every size" is? Please clarify if I am mistaken. And I apologize in advance if there are any advocates on this website and I offended you, it is just my personal opinion.
Another thing is that she always takes the elevator, and she uses a book bag with wheels on it even though we only ever have to carry one book at a time. I've been dying to talk to her, tell her I'll exercise with her, start by helping her climb the stairs. I'm afraid she won't be able to keep up when we're in the hospital doing clinicals, nursing is definitely not a sedentary job. I can tell she is sensitive about the subject so I don't know how to approach her, or if I should mind my business all together. We'll be seeing almost on a daily basis for the next 2 years, don't want to make anything awkward.