Comments on: Should Body Mass Index Be Enforced In The Trucking Industry?

By: Brett Aquila

Brett Aquila — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 11:57:22 +0000

Does your disability force you to eat more calories each day than your body needs? I don't care what the issue is, if you eat the proper number of calories based on the nutritional requirements for your body, you will not gain weight. If you eat a few less calories than your body needs, you'll lose weight. And if someone has a disability that is so severe that they can't control their own health, then they aren't safe enough to be driving an 80,000 pound truck at 65 mph surrounded by minivans full of children.

By: Jared Smithson

Jared Smithson — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 16:09:52 +0000

BMI + waist circumference are two of the best predictors of serious health risks. American companies lose over $4 billion dollars annually simply from absenteeism from obesity related diseases. Insurance companies charge extraordinary premiums for employees and individuals because of the much higher risk they pose. It is discrimination…but, it is the result of these insurance companies have to pay much more for unhealthy individuals.

"Health is not simply the absence of sickness!" – Hannah Green

I work with a Professional Health Coaching company. I have had hundreds of clients who did not have high BP/cholesterol, or any of the other high risk indicators…other than weight. THEN, all of the sudden all the indicators kicked in. I also have a very close friend to did not have any of the indicators and died of a heart attack 3 weeks after his doctors visit, at the very young age of 32.

It's not about discrimination or vanity…it's about real HEALTH!

By: Bradley Barber

Bradley Barber — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 02:48:35 +0000

Bradley:
I am for safety first… if a "professional driver" can't do a proper and complete pti, including getting under the trailer to properly check vital mechanical components, or check air pressure and fill to proper level all 18 wheels if neccessary… sorry good-bye… you are no longer a "professional driver" and you are a menance to me and to every other vehecle on the road.

By: Doug

Doug — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 01:35:07 +0000

BMI personally, think it is a joke, many of my thin truck driving buddies have sleep apnea and they dare not tell. This all came about by a bunch of medical folks who think hey can save the world by putting fat truckers on a cpap machine. So what happens when somebody overweight falls asleep behind the wheel and hurts someone and they were on a cpap now can the doctor or clinic be held accountable for letting that person be on the road. If you think you have a problem you should take care of it but who needs the feds to tell me about my problems.

By: learned my lesson

learned my lesson — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 04:37:38 +0000

EXCUSE YOU! Speak for yourself, tyvm! I was only slightly overweight and well within the BMI but my back went out and my metabolism changed and then surgery added to it. I quit smoking to aid in my recovery and I ballooned up. I was not eating poorly per se, but I was having a VERY sudden change in my lifestyle that my metabolism didn't catch on to until ti was too late. Now I am stuck on government disability and my check is less than half my BRING HOME of 7 years ago! Not only does my disability prevent regular and unpersonalized exercise, my current income prohibits healthy eating, have you priced basic healthy foods? im not talking specialty foods i mean vegetables and grains! Nor am I alone in this situation! Again, you can speak for yourself and anyone you know of directly but please do not speak for me and others that have indeed had things happen. I also know of a lot of people that have things like thyroid issues, medicines that just seriously cause weight gain on its own, not to mention the ones that increase ones appetite beyond control. you just cannot say that there is NEVER a reason someone becomes overweight that is not in their control, sorry. Things happen to the best and I pray you never have to experience them, but until then, please stop trying to speak for me and others, thanks!

By: Brett Aquila

Brett Aquila — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 08:27:40 +0000

If you look around the truck stops it sure seems that might be the case! LoL! But indeed they're only targeting the ones that can be classified "morbidly obese" which is really, really big. You'd need a BMI of around 39 before anyone would be too concerned with your weight, which would put someone that's 5' 10" at about 280 pounds.

By: rick

rick — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 05:24:44 +0000

they don"t relize that if this happen there will be no drivers out there.

By: Charles

Charles — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 22:48:30 +0000

I am A VERY OBESE person! I am 6'2" and 480lbs and I have NO health problems other than extra weight!!!! No High blood pressure, sleep apnea, or diabetes.. I am also one of the FITTEST overweight people youll ever know.. I have worked out off and on most of my life and have been able to keep some muscle on my body which physical size a little smaller even tho my weight is up!!! I can bend over and touch my toes I can fit behind the steering wheel……. I can get in and out of a trl without assistance…. I can probably get in and out of a truck just as quickly and easily as someone who is FIT….. besides my physicals I have not had to go to the doctor since I was a Kid…

Besides it was while driving a truck that I put on the most of my weight as it is!!!

By: Brett Aquila

Brett Aquila — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 19:57:21 +0000

You can be a very healthy fat person.

You see, I've had a theory for a long time now that if you tell yourself something enough times and you truly want to believe it, you can believe anything – no matter how utterly absurd and implausible it may be. Here's to the power of the human mind – it can overcome all factual evidence and completely create its own reality out of the clear blue sky.

By: Soda

Soda — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 15:36:27 +0000

Im 5'3 very obese d n a truck driver. I do not have high blood pressure, sleep apnoea nor diabetes. The only health issue i have is asthma. I can drive my truck with no problem. I can reach all gears, buttons, pedals everything. The steering wheel does have to be raised up a little but i can steer with no problem. I can drive 11 hrs day or night. I can crawl up into the back of my trailer. Yes it is not easy but i can do it. I use to even have a step ladder to make it easier if need be. BUT i can do it even if i have to use something. So to say that a fat truck driver shouldn't drive because of the fear of heart attack or can't do the job is not correct. I have seen skinny ppl not able to do the job proper and be at a health risk worse then a obesed person. Just because a person is fat does not mean that person can not do the job or has health problems or may have health problems. Each persons jeans are different. You can be a very healthy fat person. A skinny heart attack just like a fat person. So to judge that all fat ppl are unhealthy ,a risk for driving or can not do the job is totally unfounded and incorrect. I was obesesed when i started driving 3 yrs ago and i have had no problems doing my job or any health problems. Need to look at the individual not the whole. One fat person can be very healthy compared to another. One skinny person can be healthy and another could have heart probs or other health problems. You need to look at that individual.