Article
America's Doctors Practice Wellness
Physicians spend a good part of their day dispensing advice to patients about healthier lifestyles, including the importance of diet and exercise. Do they follow their own advice? According to a recent survey by the Council for Responsible Nutrition
“Few things are harder to put up with than a good example.”—Mark Twain
Physicians spend a good part of their day dispensing advice to patients about healthier lifestyles, including the importance of diet and exercise. Do they follow their own advice? According to a recent survey by the Council for Responsible Nutrition, a trade association for the dietary supplement industry, most doctors say they do.
The survey, which polled 900 US doctors, shows that three out of four doctors exercise regularly and 82% try to eat a balanced diet. More than 70% take vitamins and dietary supplements and the same percentage claim they maintain a healthy weight.
On the negative side of the ledger, 10% of the doctors surveyed are still smoking, 28% consume large quantities of caffeine, and 4% admit to having too much alcohol on occasion. Six out of 10 doctors are also taking prescription drugs. The survey also polled nurses and came up with similar results, although fewer nurses (67%) exercise regularly and significantly more nurses (87%) take vitamins and dietary supplements.
90%—Percentage of patients who say they are “very satisfied” with their physician.(AMA, 2008)
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