Docs healthier, with better habits, compared to others

Doctors appear to be taking their own health advice and as a result are in better physical health compared to those in other professions, even nurses, according to a new Gallup survey. The survey of 1,984 physicians and 7,166 nurses found that overall, the doctors scored higher on the "Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index" which looks at both general health and health-related habits. The questions include 18 items on a "Physical Health Index" which looks at sick days, disease burden as well as health problems that get in the way of normal activities, obesity, feeling well-rested, daily energy, daily colds, daily flu, and daily headaches. The four "Healthy Behavior" items on the survey include smoking, eating healthy, weekly consumption of fruits and vegetables, and weekly exercise frequency.