Comparing health behaviours of internal medicine residents and medical students: an observational study.
OBJECTIVE
During residency, many physicians find it difficult to maintain a healthy lifestyle; however, there is little objective data available. In this study, residents' health behaviours and cardiovascular risk status were compared with those of medical students.


METHODS
Medical residents (n=55, postgraduate years 1 to 4) were compared with medical students (n=62, years 1-4). The main dependent variable was the average number of steps per day (assessed using a pedometer) at work and leisure over three days, during which subjects were not on call or post-call. In addition, all subjects completed a three day food log. Frequency of vigorous exercise was assessed by a single question. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, blood pressure, total and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, smoking habits and random blood glucose were measured, and Framingham Risk Score coronary artery disease 10 year probabilities (FRS) were calculated.


RESULTS
Residents recorded 8344±3520 steps per day while students recorded 10703±3986 (p < 0.002). 35% of residents and 52% of students averaged more than 10,000 steps per day and senior residents took fewer steps than junior residents. Both groups frequently failed to achieve the recommended daily servings of fruits and vegetables; on average, 3.5±2.0 servings for residents and 5.4±2.2 for students (p < 0.0001). BMI and FRS were higher among the residents in comparison with the students.


CONCLUSIONS
Medical residents at our institution appear less active and consume fewer servings of fruits and vegetables than undergraduate medical students. These differences are associated with higher BMI, waist circumference and cardiovascular risk.
Department of Medicine and Cardiovascular Risk Factor Reduction Unit, University of Saskatchewan.
Peter L
PL
Rye
Marc E
ME
Reeson
Christopher M
CM
Pekrul
Nabil A
NA
Asfour
Rekha
R
Kundapur
Merne P
MP
Wilson
Anne M
AM
Pausjenssen
Thomas W
TW
Wilson
D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015992:Body Mass Index; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007388:Internal Medicine; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008297:Male; D012907:Smoking; D013337:Students, Medical; D000078329:Workforce
D001786:Blood Glucose; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL