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Mom Goes Viral For Calling Out Nurse Who ‘Body-Shamed’ 13-Year-Old Daughter, But Many People Disagree
Going to the doctor can be an uncomfortable experience, from the poking and prodding to the often awkward questioning, things have the potential to get unpleasant. Well recently, mom and personal trainer, Julie Venn shared her daughter’s experience at her annual check-up on the Facebook page “Moms of Tweens And Teens” and let’s just say things escalated quickly.
The appointment began normally enough, with routine questions asked to 13-year-old Riley about her bedtime, exercise, and diet, which Venn said the girl answered to honestly. She admitted that the previous school year had been difficult, but the nurse practitioner pressed on, “Tell me RILEY, HOW CAN YOU EXPLAIN ALL OF THIS WEIGHT YOU’VE GAINED?”
Venn noticed her daughter’s eyes start to well up and wrote, “I had a literal, physical reaction. I put my hand up and said, ‘STOP! You need to stop talking to my daughter about her weight. She is 13, she is strong. She is healthy and she is PERFECT. You need to move on!’ However, the mom didn’t stop there and lectured the nurse after the appointment about body empowerment.
The responses to the post were varied. Some people found Venn and her message to be inspirational, while others said she had overreacted. Scroll down below to read her entire post and tell us your opinion!
RELATED:
Recently, mom, Julie Venn, shared her daughter’s experience at her annual checkup
And let’s just say things did not go as expected
Some people praised the mom for her message
While others defended the nurse
What do you think? Tell us in the comments!
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What do you think ?
Herb Eaversmells 7 years ago
#1 this story seems either grossly blown out of proportion, or made up entirely. Also, how dare a medical professional ask medically appropriate questions.
Aunt Messy 7 years ago
The nurse doesn't want to see a 13 year old with a heart condition. The weight gain could easily be related to severe depression (which makes sense given the kid had a crappy school year) and the nurse has probably had teens in her practice commit suicide because of bullying.
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Betty Rubble 7 years ago
If your kid gained a lot of weight or even a little bit of weight the nurse was right and telling her so. Stop being so sensitive and take a look at your daughter. Take a look at your daughter and her health.
Sean Walsh 7 years ago
It is ridiculous when it's easy to see that it's muscle mass not fat that she gained. Muscle mass weighs more. This girl is not fat.
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Giovanni 7 years ago
It seams to me that the fear of fat shaming is becoming an issue as much as fat shaming itself.
BetsyB 7 years ago (edited)
Meh, bored panda has an echo chamber built around the subject. Pretty sure most of the people on here would be fine bbqing fat people in the street.
Load More Replies...
Random Panda 7 years ago (edited)
I think the question was completely normal. The kid/mom could have easily explained that she gained in height and also muscle due to sports - the nurse asked if it was junk food or a change in activity level. The nurse also asked if her period was regular. Irregular period + weight gain can point to thyroid problems for example. Unusually high weight gain can point to a whole host of problems. This was not the nurse calling the girl fat, she's looking after her health and making sure to catch possible issues on time.
Aunt Messy 7 years ago
How about depression? The kid said she had a lousy school year. Given the way her mother flies off the handle, she might have been afraid to tell her she's being bullied.
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Ben Smith 7 years ago
The mom appears to care for her daughter's feelings more than for her health. This wasn't a stranger on the street calling her daughter fat, it was a medical professional asking health questions.
Live Free 7 years ago
Unfortunately that what our society is turning into. Everyone has become so sensitive you can't say or do anything without offending anyone and in cases like this it is causing them to miss what is really important.
Load More Replies...
Notsoswift 7 years ago
The mom lost me at "She is perfect", otherwise the NP could have chosen her words better.
John Louis 7 years ago
What is this whole fat shaming thing? Obesity is a serious medical condition it should never be considered the same as race, skin color, gender, or religious affiliation.
Oerff On Tour 7 years ago
Is mom a professional, educated in healthcare? No! Is the NP educated in healthcare? Most certainly YES! So, mom better pay attention to the NP, as she's asking IMPORTANT questions, that could have serious consequences if answered incorrectly or avoided entirely, just for the sake of "not hurting someone's feelings".
Coco 7 years ago
Excuse me, but I have to disagree. Not everything a "professional" asks or does is perfect. I had an idiot (professional idiot, mind, doctor and all) saying at MY FACE that women younger than 55 years old doesn't have breast cancer and REFUSING to do a mammogram, even when my GP asked for it.
Load More Replies... 
Diary of a Disabled Person. 7 years ago
As a nutrition graduate I can actually understand both sides of the argument here. If the picture at the top is of the girl in question, then she is of a perfectly healthy weight. Sudden growth spurts are very common at that age, and as puberty progresses women develop fat stores which prepares them for pregnancy at a later date. Bone density also increases with physical activity, as does muscle mass, which impacts weight. Sudden weight gain is not abnormal, particularly with gains in height. Health practitioners sometimes need to question weight; I've even had my own weight flagged when I gained suddenly. However, there is a sensitive way of asking appropriately, and with girls in particular (who are very susceptible and impressionable at that age) care should be taken to emphasise the fact that growth spurts are normal, and that puberty isn't about linear weight gain. That nurse could have handled it WAY better.
neverbeenbored 7 years ago
I don't know why your comment got reported and hidden. There is absolutely nothing wrong with it.
Load More Replies... Herb Eaversmells 7 years ago
#1 this story seems either grossly blown out of proportion, or made up entirely. Also, how dare a medical professional ask medically appropriate questions.
Aunt Messy 7 years ago
The nurse doesn't want to see a 13 year old with a heart condition. The weight gain could easily be related to severe depression (which makes sense given the kid had a crappy school year) and the nurse has probably had teens in her practice commit suicide because of bullying.
Load More Replies... Betty Rubble 7 years ago
If your kid gained a lot of weight or even a little bit of weight the nurse was right and telling her so. Stop being so sensitive and take a look at your daughter. Take a look at your daughter and her health.
Sean Walsh 7 years ago
It is ridiculous when it's easy to see that it's muscle mass not fat that she gained. Muscle mass weighs more. This girl is not fat.
Load More Replies... Giovanni 7 years ago
It seams to me that the fear of fat shaming is becoming an issue as much as fat shaming itself.
BetsyB 7 years ago (edited)
Meh, bored panda has an echo chamber built around the subject. Pretty sure most of the people on here would be fine bbqing fat people in the street.
Load More Replies... Random Panda 7 years ago (edited)
I think the question was completely normal. The kid/mom could have easily explained that she gained in height and also muscle due to sports - the nurse asked if it was junk food or a change in activity level. The nurse also asked if her period was regular. Irregular period + weight gain can point to thyroid problems for example. Unusually high weight gain can point to a whole host of problems. This was not the nurse calling the girl fat, she's looking after her health and making sure to catch possible issues on time.
Aunt Messy 7 years ago
How about depression? The kid said she had a lousy school year. Given the way her mother flies off the handle, she might have been afraid to tell her she's being bullied.
Load More Replies... Ben Smith 7 years ago
The mom appears to care for her daughter's feelings more than for her health. This wasn't a stranger on the street calling her daughter fat, it was a medical professional asking health questions.
Live Free 7 years ago
Unfortunately that what our society is turning into. Everyone has become so sensitive you can't say or do anything without offending anyone and in cases like this it is causing them to miss what is really important.
Load More Replies... Notsoswift 7 years ago
The mom lost me at "She is perfect", otherwise the NP could have chosen her words better.
John Louis 7 years ago
What is this whole fat shaming thing? Obesity is a serious medical condition it should never be considered the same as race, skin color, gender, or religious affiliation.
Oerff On Tour 7 years ago
Is mom a professional, educated in healthcare? No! Is the NP educated in healthcare? Most certainly YES! So, mom better pay attention to the NP, as she's asking IMPORTANT questions, that could have serious consequences if answered incorrectly or avoided entirely, just for the sake of "not hurting someone's feelings".
Coco 7 years ago
Excuse me, but I have to disagree. Not everything a "professional" asks or does is perfect. I had an idiot (professional idiot, mind, doctor and all) saying at MY FACE that women younger than 55 years old doesn't have breast cancer and REFUSING to do a mammogram, even when my GP asked for it.
Load More Replies... Diary of a Disabled Person. 7 years ago
As a nutrition graduate I can actually understand both sides of the argument here. If the picture at the top is of the girl in question, then she is of a perfectly healthy weight. Sudden growth spurts are very common at that age, and as puberty progresses women develop fat stores which prepares them for pregnancy at a later date. Bone density also increases with physical activity, as does muscle mass, which impacts weight. Sudden weight gain is not abnormal, particularly with gains in height. Health practitioners sometimes need to question weight; I've even had my own weight flagged when I gained suddenly. However, there is a sensitive way of asking appropriately, and with girls in particular (who are very susceptible and impressionable at that age) care should be taken to emphasise the fact that growth spurts are normal, and that puberty isn't about linear weight gain. That nurse could have handled it WAY better.
neverbeenbored 7 years ago
I don't know why your comment got reported and hidden. There is absolutely nothing wrong with it.
Load More Replies...
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