Medscape’s 2014 Physician Lifestyle Report found general surgery to be the most overweight physician specialty, with 49 percent of surveyed general surgeons identifying themselves as overweight to obese.
Physicians in family medicine and gastroenterology followed closely behind. Dermatologists were least overweight, as just 23 percent identified themselves as overweight or obese.
The survey also found the following:
• 34 percent of physicians are overweight, compared to 35 percent of the U.S. population
• 8 percent of physicians identified themselves as obese, with a body mass index equal to or exceeding 30
• 57 percent of overweight physicians exercise twice per week, while 38 percent of obese physicians exercise twice per week
• Most overweight or obese physicians, roughly 40 percent, eat a “typical American” diet consisting of meat and white carbs most days and a high amount of fat
• 16 percent of overweight or obese physicians eat weight-loss or calorie-restriction diets
Survey results are based on responses from 31,399 U.S. physicians across 25 medical specialties.
More Articles on Physician Health and Happiness:
Which Specialty Has the Happiest Physicians?
Study: 5 Drivers of Physician Satisfaction
Is Becoming a Physician Really a “Million Dollar Mistake?”
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