Harvard doctors set good health example

More than half of those surveyed exercise at least three times a week.

By Damon Adams, AMNews staff. Nov. 7, 2005.

Physicians know well the caricatures of a hefty doctor telling his or her patient to lose weight or a cigarette-sneaking practitioner urging someone to kick the habit. What patient would take advice from someone who doesn't practice what he or she preaches?

At least one group of physicians, though, is painting a portrait of good health for patients. A new survey of 2,115 Harvard Medical School faculty physicians found that they exercise regularly, eat healthily and don't smoke.

All in all, they heed their own advice to patients.

"I was a little bit surprised that it was so good. It's probably part of an overall trend [of good health] of which doctors are a part," said Peter Wehrwein, editor of the Harvard Health Letter, which published the findings in its October issue.

The publication asked medical school physicians, including practicing doctors and researchers, to fill in an anonymous e-mail questionnaire about their health habits.

The results showed that about half of the doctors eat three to four servings of fruits or vegetables daily, drink in moderation (one to five drinks a week) and use olive oil instead of less-healthy fats. Only 12% regularly eat fast food.

"The members of the faculty that answered our survey seem to eat a little less, and to weigh a little less, than most people their age in the U.S.," Harvard Health Letter Editor-in-Chief Anthony Komaroff, MD, said in a statement. He was out of the country and unavailable for comment.