Female bodybuilder ‘insulted’ after she was told she ‘eats too much’ by Harold Hill nurse
Bodybuilder Anita was told she eats too much. Picture: Anita Albrecht - Credit: Archant
A female bodybuilder was given “dangerous” advice by a health expert who told her she “eats too much”.
Bodybuilder Anita was told she eats too much. Picture: Anita Albrecht - Credit: Archant
Anita Albrecht, 39, a personal trainer and nutritionist, visited the Harold Hill Health Centre where she said she was left “insulted” with the advice that was given to her after the scales revealed she had a high body mass index (BMI).
Her BMI of 29 is within the overweight range but this is down to her extraordinary muscle mass which she has developed over 20 years of training.
However, the nurse advised a very low-calorie diet (VLCD) of just 1,000 calories a day.
Anita, who trains six days a week, said: “I went in there to get my contraception. I said I experienced weight gain with the previous contraception’s. She said ‘well it’s not the contraception it’s that you eat too much’.
“I felt insulted. I know better and my big concern was the information she gave me contradicts what the NHS says. It’s also down right dangerous information.
“If someone goes on a VLCD they must be supervised by a doctor and they must be on it for no more than 12 weeks. It can have long-term health impacts.”
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The NHS website says the VLCD, which would mean a woman eating half the normally recommended intake of calories, is only suitable for the obese.
Although Anita’s BMI is in the overweight range of 25-30 it is not because of fat.
“She also made a comment about how it gets hard when you get older but I’m 39,” said the New Zealand born bodybuilder who came sixth in Miss Galaxy Universe 2012.
Anita, who lives in Warley, had visited the family planning walk-in clinic, in Gooshays Drive, earlier this month.
An NHS spokesman declined to comment due to patient confidentiality.
