Greensboro, NC-- You've heard it before..."practice what you preach" but what if your doctor's not walking the walk? Two new studies say that more doctors and nurses are overweight and it may have an impact on your health.
In the first study, researchers at the University of Maryland found that roughly 55% of nurses are obese. They surveyed about 2,000 female nurses in their research. Part of the reasoning is the long shifts nurses work.
Perhaps that's why employee wellness-programs are becoming more and more popular - especially in the medical profession.
"Being healthy is something everybody struggles with, it doesn't matter your position", said Becca Jones, Wellness Coordinator at Cone Health.
Another new study found that overweight doctors were less likely to make a diagnosis of obesity or even discuss weight with their patients. The findings are out of the John Hopkins School of Public Health which surveyed 500 primary care physicians. Only 18% of heavy doctors discussed weight loss. 30% of normal-weight doctors talked about weight with their patients.
To that, Jones added, "Would you want to go to a doctor that is overweight and that doctor tell you, you need to lose weight and eat better? It's harder to take them seriously if they don't practice what they preach."
What's your take? Would you be less likely to take the weight advice from a doctor if they are overweight themselves? Join the conversation and sound off on our WFMY News 2 facebook page.
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