Indicators, Trends, and Recommendations for Living a Longer, Healthier Life

Radiology faculty members serve as role models to residents and medical students, potentially influencing the choices trainees make regarding their health. Resident work hours, program flexibility in work hours, food served at department functions, wellness programs offered by programs or the institutions in which they are housed, and subtle cues that reflect faculty values regarding personal and community health are examples of factors that potentially influence the choices made by trainees. There are many unanswered questions regarding the adequacy of training programs in promoting good health among their trainees. One purpose of this review is to lay the groundwork for research in how radiology training programs influence trainees' compliance with health recommendations. It focuses on physical activity, overweight and obesity, and related health concerns. It emphasizes the discouraging fact that the majority of American adults do not follow recommended guidelines for physical activity and diet, worker stress among American adults is high, 1 in 4 American adults have high blood pressure, and more than 20% have high levels of total cholesterol.