What do you say to an obese doctor who tells you to cut out sweets?

“Thanks for your good advice.”

Most of us don’t visit physicians as role models, do we? I sure don’t.

How about “I will if you will”?

“Yep. You’re right. Thanks. I’ll give it a try.”

He is the doctor. The patient is not. Yes, it is his place to give guidance as it relates to the patient’s health. He is evaluating the reasons his patient may be overweight. Even if the advice is hypocritical, it may still be accurate. So, I’d say to listen and thank him. After that, following the advice is the patient’s choice.

I would assume the doctor is already aware of his physical condition, and keep my judgmental attitude to myself.

Tu quoque fallacy

The doctor is doing his job as a doctor. He is not the patient, he is the doctor. It’s not about his medical issues, it’s about yours.

You have no idea about the doctor’s medical condition. For all you know he has thyroid or other problems.

Good advice is good advice. As a dessert junkie, I know that there are a plethora of reasons other than my waistline to avoid sugar.

I’m reminded of that line my dad used me me a million times: “Don’t do what I do, do what I tell you to.”

Yep, @Kropotkin nailed it.

I’m reminded of the public’s denial of the scientific data Al Gore was presenting about climate – because he was traveling around the country on a private jet, which is not environmentally-sound.

I would question the advice and want to know why the doctor wants me to cut back on sweets. I would listen and if the reason were medically appropriate, I would do my best to work on that. My doctor’s physical being, whether “obese,” “skinny,” or anywhere in between is none of my business. I have no idea of my doctor’s health status merely by looking at him/her.

If the patient finds the doctor’s advice to be hypocritical, he/she needs to go to a doctor who is in a physical shape that he/she finds acceptable.

“Sure, no problem (internally laughing)”.

I’d take the advice for myself, his health is not my concern.

It has gone through my mind that we have some overweight nurses and nurses that smoke and drink, and it seems odd for the health profession but again it’s not my business to judge.

I go to the doctor for their education, training, and intellectual ability. That’s my main concern. If they give good advice, great, but if they don’t follow that advice that’s their concern, not mine.

I love my doctor who is moderately overweight himself. Could stand to drop maybe 30–40 lbs.
He makes suggestions but is also humorous and empathetic of our shared human condition. I was complaining a few years ago about putting on weight in my menopause zone and he just patted his own belly and laughed and said ” Oh, I know!”

Just because someone is a doctor doesn’t mean they don’t struggle with their own human condition, addictions and foibles. It is a myth that intelligent people shouldn’t have flaws.
Intelligence and education does not mean smart people can’t make stupid choices.

“what, am I eating yours?”

Would you want an overweight doctor to prescribe eating donuts, if he finds your sugar level is elevated, because he is overweight.? For some people weight can make quite a difference in their health and for others there seems to be no health concerns.

I’ve known overweight people who are very healthy and people who get very unhealthy the moment they put on 15 lbs. Everyone is different. For all you know, his sugar and heart and breathing is fine. I know it only takes me putting on 10lbs and I start to have difficulty in my joints. I’ve seen really big people who can move with more agility than I can and I’ve thinner and younger people than myself who are stiff as a board.

@Pandora Agreed, genetics play a huge role in our health. I believe the predominant role.
This is why I hate to compare, be compared, to any model of anything. Every individual is dealing with their own very unique blueprint of nature/nurture. 6 year olds can get cancer and 90 year old smokers keep chugging along. lol