Being overweight hurtful during interviews?

Started by jamilla_w
Get help with your application

Use all the free resources available to you from SDN: articles, guides, expert advising, forums discussions, and school research.

Browse articles Compare schools My application plan Read Interview Feedback
Practice for interviews Ask an Advisor
Sekiray said:
looking good is part of the game for interviews
Click to expand...
Then a lot of premeds are hosed. I used to work at UCSF and I've never seen such a collection of pasty-a$$ folks who don't know how to pick or wear a suit.

Many med schools offer a mini-course in financial management so that their grads don't make stupid financial decisions once they start earning real money. I think undergrad schools should offer a mini-course in suits.
 
Haemulon said:
Your wrong. Federal dollars = federal guidelines. Most private schools are even tied in some way or another to federal dollars. Schools can get in trouble for discrimination just like any one else. And it may not be the students word against the school's, all that would need to happen is a thorough investigation into their applicant vs. acceptance demographics. And no school wants that (who knows what else that might reveal).
Click to expand...
As I posted once before, it is PERFECTLY LEGAL under Federal, and any state laws that I am aware of, to discriminate based upon weight.

Discrimination is only illegal if the person being discriminated against is a member of a "protected class." Google protected class, and you will find a link to the EEOC website that describes Federal protected classes. Some state laws create additional protected classes for that particular state (most notably sexual orientation.) I have not found any state that has weight as a protected class, but I have only looked at a few states.
 
jota_jota said:
As I posted once before, it is PERFECTLY LEGAL under Federal, and any state laws that I am aware of, to discriminate based upon weight.

Discrimination is only illegal if the person being discriminated against is a member of a "protected class." Google protected class, and you will find a link to the EEOC website that describes Federal protected classes. Some state laws create additional protected classes for that particular state (most notably sexual orientation.) I have not found any state that has weight as a protected class, but I have only looked at a few states.
Click to expand...

Ok. thats true. Weight is definitely not a protected class. I guess I just interpreted the discussion here to mean that Med schools were not bound at all to anti-descrimination laws. Dr U said that schools can discriminate based on anything they want, which is what I was responding to. I think we are on the same page. It would certainly be bad PR though though for them to discriminate based on weight.
 
DR U-GENetIC said:
actually they can ask you anything that they want.....labor laws dont apply here......they arent offering you a job....you are going to them asking them for a spot in school..........so they are free from any discrimination laws......etc....but even if they are not they can ask you then deny it i mean its an adcoms members word against a wanna0be med student who needs to lie because they cant get into any other med school...i mean cmon.... 😴
Click to expand...

Reading comprehension is good.
1. Residency, not medical school
2. Linky
3. Linky 2
4.
Remember, residency interviews are still employment interviews and are covered under federal law. The Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) (http://www.eeoc.gov/) is charged to protect job applicants from bias and potential discrimination. Questions related to marital status, family planning, age, ethnicity, religion, or sexual preferences are illegal.
Click to expand...
From here
 
notdeadyet said:
Then a lot of premeds are hosed. I used to work at UCSF and I've never seen such a collection of pasty-a$$ folks who don't know how to pick or wear a suit.
Click to expand...

Good for them, what matters is that you stand out. If you can pull off a suit, then you are good. If you cant, it only hurts. Im just saying attractiveness is a big part in interviews. If you are not very attractive, they dont want to look at you for a long time = they wont listen to you as much. WHo are you going to remember at the end of your day? (After interviewing a bunch of people)
The average looking joe schmuck or Nicole Kidman like girl/Brad Pitt like guy??
 
Haemulon said:
Ok. thats true. Weight is definitely not a protected class. I guess I just interpreted the discussion here to mean that Med schools were not bound at all to anti-descrimination laws. Dr U said that schools can discriminate based on anything they want, which is what I was responding to. I think we are on the same page. It would certainly be bad PR though though for them to discriminate based on weight.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I agree about the PR thing. Unfortuantely, the ugly thing about discrimination is that it is rarely public (i.e. "Obese people need not apply,") and I agree with the rest of the posters that it may be likely to hurt you in ways that you may not percieve. If anything, I think it may put you at a slight disadvantage to win over the hearts/minds of your interviewer since you may already have a strike against you from your first impression.

FWIW, I am an overweight person. I used to be obese, but, for many reasons (my own health, longevity, especially after my first child was born, etc) I have made losing weight my #3 priority (behind being a good father/husband and getting into medical school 🙂 ) and I have been extremely successful at losing weight (I've lost 75 lbs. over the course of about a year,) so I understand the concerns. While I've read about interview questions that ask candidates about obesity, I have never been asked about it in any of my interviews (all of which I percieve to have gone pretty well.)
 
Compass said:
What are we defining as overweight/obese? I'm only defined as slightly overweight based on that scale that makes 24+ overweight, and obese being really high.
Click to expand...
Obese is usually defined as 25+ percent body fat in men and 30+ percent body fat in women. There are a number of charts online that allow you to ESTIMATE your body fat percentage (also referred to as the body mass index or BMI) based upon your height and weight, but if you are concerned, you should see your doctor to have a more detailed measurement done.
 
jota_jota said:
There are a number of charts online that allow you to ESTIMATE your body fat percentage (also referred to as the body mass index or BMI) based upon your height and weight, but if you are concerned, you should see your doctor to have a more detailed measurement done.
Click to expand...
I wouldn't even bother with the BMI. It's an incredibly flawed system. A 6' weightlifter appears overweight, while a 6' flabby couch potato with absolutely no muscle tone can appear fit (the former is 200 lbs. of muscle and the latter is 170 lbs of suet). If you're concerned, see a doctor.
 
seriously, overweight or not, just look good in your suit. I bet people would like to show off their big guns + 6 pack, but all that matters is how you look in the suit. If you can cover some fat, then why not? What really helps with the suit is having broad shoulders. So if anyone is serious enough, I suggest working them out.
 
If you can't take care of your own health, in terms of preventive measures relating to obesity, how can you take care of your patients?

That's what might pop into mind for a person interviewing you.
 
zach1201 said:
If you can't take care of your own health, in terms of preventive measures relating to obesity, how can you take care of your patients?

That's what might pop into mind for a person interviewing you.
Click to expand...
I think most of the adcoms have a bit of experience with doctors (or even are doctors themselves) and realize that few doctors are paragons of health themselves. They all have issues to work on (be it diet, drinking, excersize, etc.) just like the rest of us.
 
notdeadyet said:
I think most of the adcoms have a bit of experience with doctors (or even are doctors themselves) and realize that few doctors are paragons of health themselves. They all have issues to work on (be it diet, drinking, excersize, etc.) just like the rest of us.
Click to expand...

You are assuming eg. fat people are not among the harshest critics of others who are fat. In fact, they may be much more focused on it.
 
Law2Doc said:
You are assuming eg. fat people are not among the harshest critics of others who are fat. In fact, they may be much more focused on it.
Click to expand...
Or they may be much more sympathetic. Trying to guess the opinion on a random topic of an adcom you haven't met is akin to guessing the number of angels dancing on the head of a pin.

Really can't generalize. It's luck of the draw.
 
zach1201 said:
If you can't take care of your own health, in terms of preventive measures relating to obesity, how can you take care of your patients?

That's what might pop into mind for a person interviewing you.
Click to expand...


That basically sums up this whole topic.
 
akademiks1989 said:
That basically sums up this whole topic.
Click to expand...

Not really. Doctors are human and many are subject to human weaknesses and risks, not just in terms of fitness, but also perhaps with respect to tobacco, alcohol, drugs, risky sex, riding motorcycles without helmets/skydiving/driving without seatbelts (eg. life risking activities), and so on. It's really not atypical to deal with patients who are unfortunate victims of some of the same behavior you have done. It happens, we are all human, we all have flaws.
But the answer to the OPs question still is that to the extent you can hide or lessen those flaws for purposes of an interview, you should do so, because people hold flaws against you.
 
akademiks1989 said:
-Would you trust a lawn mower if his lawn wasn't mowed nicely?
Click to expand...
Yes. I don't think you realize how much money it costs to have a primo lawn. Irrigation, fertilization, grading and drainage are pretty expensive, and the guy who cuts your grass probably can't afford all that.

sorry, just had to interject.
 
notdeadyet said:
I wouldn't even bother with the BMI. It's an incredibly flawed system. A 6' weightlifter appears overweight, while a 6' flabby couch potato with absolutely no muscle tone can appear fit (the former is 200 lbs. of muscle and the latter is 170 lbs of suet). If you're concerned, see a doctor.
Click to expand...
Let's put it like this. If you have to ask....
 
TheProwler said:
Yes. I don't think you realize how much money it costs to have a primo lawn. Irrigation, fertilization, grading and drainage are pretty expensive, and the guy who cuts your grass probably can't afford all that.

sorry, just had to interject.
Click to expand...

It's like mandolin luthiers who only get to play their instruments once before having to sell them. It's so sad...
 
since when does weight always have anything to do with diet and exercise habits? i certainly know people who are physically active and eat very well, but are still considered overweight. not much some people can do about it
 
notdeadyet said:
I wouldn't even bother with the BMI. It's an incredibly flawed system. A 6' weightlifter appears overweight, while a 6' flabby couch potato with absolutely no muscle tone can appear fit (the former is 200 lbs. of muscle and the latter is 170 lbs of suet). If you're concerned, see a doctor.
Click to expand...
I agree-- the BMI system doesn't take much into account such as body type. According to my BMI, I am obese, and almost (about 6lbs short of) morbidly obese. i am a girl and wear a size 8 or 10, depending on the brand. I am a little chubby, I'll admitt it. I'd definitely like to lose weight. But obese? morbidly obese? I think not. I go to the gym 4-5 times per week, work with a trainer, walk a minimum of 5 miles per day, and wear a smaller size than the "average" woman. People keep saying that the media makes women feel bad about themselves because of how skinny models/actresses are, but really i think it's the government telling everyone they are unhealthy levels of fat when it may not be true. I really don't think my size 8 body, with the amount of excersize i get every day, is at extra risk for heart disease and diabetes because of my size. sorry if that's slightly off topic, just something that bothers me. morbidly obese... gag me.
 
aaj117 said:
I agree-- the BMI system doesn't take much into account such as body type. According to my BMI, I am obese, and almost (about 6lbs short of) morbidly obese. i am a girl and wear a size 8 or 10, depending on the brand. I am a little chubby, I'll admitt it. I'd definitely like to lose weight. But obese? morbidly obese? I think not. I go to the gym 4-5 times per week, work with a trainer, walk a minimum of 5 miles per day, and wear a smaller size than the "average" woman. People keep saying that the media makes women feel bad about themselves because of how skinny models/actresses are, but really i think it's the government telling everyone they are unhealthy levels of fat when it may not be true. I really don't think my size 8 body, with the amount of excersize i get every day, is at extra risk for heart disease and diabetes because of my size. sorry if that's slightly off topic, just something that bothers me. morbidly obese... gag me.
Click to expand...


BMI... ahh.. I hate that stupid thing.

I'm 5'3" and I wear a size 2-4 so I'm pretty darn small. According to BMI, I am overweight. Why? Because I've been a gymnast since I was 5 years old and I have a lot of muscle.

You should see the looks on people's faces when they see me, realize how tiny I am, and then realize I'm overweight according to BMI 😛
 
If any of you are applying to the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS), you must be physically fit...in other words, you have to meet WEIGHT requirements regardless of your muscle tone/bulk, etc.... They will actually weigh you when you travel there for the physical and interview! The weight requirements at this school are pretty average. I'm 5'10, 180#...in great shape (runner); however, I just barely met their weight cut-off.

If you apply here, drop the pounds!
 
too many red herrings here

fact: higher socio-economic groups have fewer obese people. When you're interviewing, you are among people in those groups.

there's not a lot of in-depth thinking done when you are making a first impression followed by a few minutes of awkward "conversation" with a person who is in place to evaluate your application.

people are reluctant to admit to this, just like everyone claims to wash their hands after using the bathroom when only a small fraction really do: humans, especially those in a socio-economic class in which obesity is not common, draw immediate conclusions about the value and respectability of others who are too heavy.

we don't like fat people, they make us uncomfortable, and we think they ought to know better and care more about themselves.


of course being overweight is likely to negatively impress interviewers
 
I think it all depends on what you mean by "overweight." A size 12 (which I am) is completely different than a size 26. I think that it is completely in the way that you carry yourself. If you walk in, looking your best, in a suit that flatters your figure (whatever that may be) then your interviewer will take notice. Regardless if you are overweight underweight or the perfect size, if you lack confidence, then it will show. Play up the positive aspects of your body. I have very nice legs, so I wear a skirt suit. It all depends on your attitude. I suggest working out heavier than normal, not only will you look better but your stress levels will decrease immensely.
 
Bottom line, weight is a poor measurement of physical health. Other measurements such as body composition and volume of oxygen output are much better indicators of overall health.

I agree with the previous posts that body type, genetics, and age have such a huge influence on weight, that one shoudl not rationally assume that someone who is not slender and slim has not taken care of themselves. I do believe health and physical attractive/weighing less can at times be unrelated. The latter has as much to do with a fast metabolism as having a good lifestyle.

Of course, we make many subconscious judgments and assumptions about appearance for evolutionary reasons. The truth is being attractive will be an advantage in any vocational or social setting (and vice versa) and medicine is no different. But we all also have a rational side, and if you do not have attractiveness or youthful working to your advantage, just try harder to connect with the interview. It's a bit more work, but it's not insurmountable.
 
actually, the truth is that if you eat more calories than you use, you will end up heavier. Period. All the anecdotal stuff about how people know active people who don't eat much yet are still fat is just proof that some folks will believe anything.
 
inaminute said:
actually, the truth is that if you eat more calories than you use, you will end up heavier. Period. All the anecdotal stuff about how people know active people who don't eat much yet are still fat is just proof that some folks will believe anything.
Click to expand...
However there is this thing called metabolism that makes it slightly unequal. Some people can sit around all day but have a higher resting metabolism and burn more calories doing it, while others have to work out a significant amount to burn the same amound. Period. So there are some people who don't eat much but don't lose weight, whether you'd like to believe it or not.
 
inaminute said:
actually, the truth is that if you eat more calories than you use, you will end up heavier. Period. All the anecdotal stuff about how people know active people who don't eat much yet are still fat is just proof that some folks will believe anything.
Click to expand...

You're right, except the way that you use calories depends a lot on your body. Most of the calories that you burn is used by your body at rest, as the last post alludes to. There's a reason why most people become more plump as they get older, even if they don't eat more.
 
It's already been shown that attractive candidates get better treatment than those that are less attractive (as unfair as this is).

This is part of it.
 
People veiw attractive people more positively. Weight and fitness are controllable aspects of the attractive equation. Yes, it will play a role in how your interveiwer percieves you (and everyone else for that matter).

It's doubtful that the interviewer will conciously think about your weight and it's implications for a career in medicine (unless you look completely unhealthy), but somewhere in the back of his or her mind it will factor into their perception of you.

People are just naturally more inclined to like fit, attractive people. That's life. It's certainly not what is going to keep you out or get you in by any stretch of the imagination, but it is a factor that others will have an edge in...
 
if your doctor was obviously obese and telling you that you need to lose weight it wouldn't really be so effective now would it.
 
DeadCactus said:
People veiw attractive people more positively. Weight and fitness are controllable aspects of the attractive equation. Yes, it will play a role in how your interveiwer percieves you (and everyone else for that matter).
Click to expand...
Exactly.

I mean, of ALL the things you could complain about adcoms discriminating against, whether it be age, sex, height, race, sexuality etc. people are whining about one of the few aspects about themselves that for the most part is self determined? <rant>And no, I don't care if you think it's genetic, no one else does. Get off SDN and go to the gym. Even if it's "impossible" for you to lose weight, it'll do wonders for your heart anyway </rant>
 
Turtle01 said:
BMI is a load of crap. I am a 6'7" 305 lb college football player who can see his own feet, and according to the BMI scale I am morbidly obese. Ha. I have a gut sure, but i dont know any morbidy obese people who can run a mile in 6:50 and bench their weight 10+ times. I hate it when people try to use BMI on athletic people.
Click to expand...

Exactly, same boat for me. I was an offensive tackle in college and had about the same physical stats, but my BMI said I was morbidly obese. BMI is total horse**** because it doesn't take into acount body type etc... Bottom line, you dont need BMI to know you are or are not obese, all you need common sense.

If you are carrying around a few extra pounds on your belt, that would probably not make any difference at an interview. But if you are "obese," your perception in the eyes of an interviewer will likely drop. Imagine if you went to a 5'8, 350lb doctor, and he said "you are not eating well and this is bad for your heart, you need to make better lifestyle decisions." Personally, I loose respect and trust for people who do not live by their own words. And our heavy eating, low activity culture is one of the biggest things us future physicians are going to be fighting against as health care proffesionals.
 
Rooter76 said:
Exactly, same boat for me. I was an offensive tackle in college and had about the same physical stats, but my BMI said I was morbidly obese. BMI is total horse**** because it doesn't take into acount body type etc... Bottom line, you dont need BMI to know you are or are not obese, all you need common sense.

If you are carrying around a few extra pounds on your belt, that would probably not make any difference at an interview. But if you are "obese," your perception in the eyes of an interviewer will likely drop. Imagine if you went to a 5'8, 350lb doctor, and he said "you are not eating well and this is bad for your heart, you need to make better lifestyle decisions." Personally, I loose respect and trust for people who do not live by their own words. And our heavy eating, low activity culture is one of the biggest things us future physicians are going to be fighting against as health care proffesionals.
Click to expand...

Exactly!! I was really concerned about this before the interview season started and was trying to lose weight, but it honestly wasn't worth it for me. Although I'm a fairly average size 8/10, I have a size F chest, donating most of the wieght that makes me "obese". Although I go to the gym often and am in decent shape/have good endurance, I am alawys going to look a little bit chubbier in a suit because of the way it hangs off of my chest, but an interviewer should be able to tell the difference between those few extra pounds and something like chest size which i clearly have no control over, and just plain poor lifestyle habits.
 
If you have the whole package (numbers, personality, ECs, etc), being overweight won't make a difference. But if you end up in the middle of the pack, it may have a negative influence.

I think doctors and medical students need to try to serve as role models for health, though. This doesn't mean we all need to be beautiful and fit and completely deny ourselves the things we like (mmm a good McDonalds burger ever so often), but we should put forth an effort to maintain a fairly healthy lifestyle - so try to lose weight or try to stop smoking...I hate hate hate exercising, but the past few months I've started working out more and I am trying to eat better. In the future, I can tell patients "I hate it too, but I do it to stay healthy." It is hard to take someone seriously when they don't take their own advice.

Understand that when you start medical school, society is going to expect a shift in behavior. If you're a college senior, you're likely going out to the bars on Friday and Saturday, having a good time, getting a little tipsy, etc. This is expected of college students, but when you enter medical school, though it is only a few months later, you are a physician-in-training, and also a role-model-in-training. If you run into a patient from the clinic while drunk at a bar, that is going to reflect negatively upon your school and your profession. Just keep this in mind.
 
Abilene85 said:
Understand that when you start medical school, society is going to expect a shift in behavior. If you're a college senior, you're likely going out to the bars on Friday and Saturday, having a good time, getting a little tipsy, etc. This is expected of college students, but when you enter medical school, though it is only a few months later, you are a physician-in-training, and also a role-model-in-training. If you run into a patient from the clinic while drunk at a bar, that is going to reflect negatively upon your school and your profession. Just keep this in mind.
Click to expand...

Very true.

Also remember that a DUI in college can be chalked up to a "bad mistake," but one in med school or residency? BAD news.
 
aaj117 said:
Exactly!! I was really concerned about this before the interview season started and was trying to lose weight, but it honestly wasn't worth it for me. Although I'm a fairly average size 8/10, I have a size F chest
Click to expand...
 
I have been in the gym on the treadmills every day so I can fit into that old suit from high school 😀 that way my circulation wont be cut off during my interviews!
 
TM2006 said:
If any school ever considers your weight as a criteria for admission, I would imagine that they would get sued for discrimination. I think self-confidence is more important than anything else, even if they ask questions about health/diet/exercise (which I'm sure they do).
Click to expand...

what are you talking about? being fat isn't genetic...a small case of morbidly obese people may have it, but this crap about blaming it on your genetics is bull****. i know people with serious genetic disorders who live with them and strive to overcome things like immobility, speech disorders, and other things far harder than simply being to lazy to get your butt off the couch.

there's no excuse for being fat. except that you 1) care more about food than what you look like, or 2) you just don't give a hoot about your health, and perhaps 3) you don't realize the health risks and social castration (and rightfully so) that comes with being fat (I mean overweight, not chunkiness)

showing up at an interview an overweight candidate says: "i don't care about my health or body image," which, sorry to say, is a reflection of your perception of social self. and that you don't care enough about your health. in short: laziness.
 
also, i've discussed with several bioethics professors, and a doctor or health figure who is overweight is not only hypocritical, he/she is also immoral. not the kind of immorality that comes from killing babies, but a serious enough form of personal immorality.
 
In the end, though, all that matters is the interview's perception, regardless of their own personal health. If they feel there's something about you that bothers them - well then that's it. End of story.
 
ScienceJunkie said:
what are you talking about? being fat isn't genetic...a small case of morbidly obese people may have it, but this crap about blaming it on your genetics is bull****. .
Click to expand...

ON THE NAIL!! you may have slower metabolism etc etc... but genetics is not the root cause of 99.9% of the cases of obesity (there was no such thing as an obese caveman 😉). Obese people today are obese because they make lifestyle decisions which are not conductive to healthy living. Dont like being obese? It is not discrimination, because you live the lifestyle that brings it. Make the responsible, disciplined decision to change your life, increase your calories out and decrease your calories in to the point the ratio shifts and you start losing weight...it is actually quite simple.

Anyone who thinks of suing because they were overweight and felt they were discriminated against is slapping real discrimination in the face (on the part of people who are judged everyday becasue of race, sex or other things they cannot control or has nothing to do with their own choices).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.