Young Doctors Exercise Less Than National Average

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Main Category: Sports Medicine / Fitness
Also Included In: Medical Students / Training;  Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness
Article Date: 04 Dec 2008 - 0:00 PDT

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In comparison to the national average, young doctors get much less exercise, and this level of exercise is below recommended levels, according to a study released on December 2, 2008 in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, one of the BMJ Specialist Journals.

Regular exercise is universally recognized as a prevention measure for a number of health problems, and the UK Department of Health recommends that every adult perform 30 minutes of moderate exercise at least five times a week. It has been shown previously that, in men who exercise regularly, death from all causes is almost halved.

To assess exercise habits in doctors, the researchers surveyed junior doctors working at two hospitals in Southern England, one of which had an on-site gym. Of the the 61 total surveyed, half were women, and the average age was 27. In the group, there were equal numbers of medical and surgical specialists. The survey asked about the subjects' physical exercise habits before and after graduating and lifestyle factors, such as smoking or drinking, which were likely to affect general health.

In most categories, the doctors outperformed the national public. On average, the doctors weighted and smoked less than national average estimates. Only 7% drank more than the recommended number of units of alcohol. However, only 21% achieved recommended exercise levels, far below the national average of 44%. Additionally, examining the doctors performing too little exercise, most worked at the hospital with a gymnasium -- but one third of the doctors working there said they were unaware of its existence.

In the 35 doctors who used a gym, on-site or elsewhere, only three exercised according to the guidelines. The doctors' previous habits may be have been different, because as medical students, 64% fulfilled the guidelines. When asked why they did not meet the guidelines, the most common response was lack of time, with 58% of the total. However, 29% said they were not motivated or too tired. When asked what might increase their exercise participation, many of the subjects suggested promotion programs at work, or the availability of exercise classes or sports teams.

The authors take these suggestions to heart, indicating that interventions should be implemented. "This is very important, not only for the doctors' own health, but also for the health of the patients. Numerous studies have shown that students and consultant equivalent doctors who exercise are more likely to counsel their patients to exercise too," they write.

Research letter: Doctors fighting fit or couch potatoes?
K Gupta, L Fan
Online First Br J Sports Med 2008
doi 10.1136/bjsm.2008.051839
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Written by Anna Sophia McKenney
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