The Surgeon Athlete? Analysis of the Nutritional Habits of Orthopaedic Surgery Residents

Orthopaedic surgery residency requires physical stamina and mental acuity. Residents work long hours in demanding conditions like those faced by professional athletes. However, surgical residents often neglect their nutritional needs. This investigates dietary habits of orthopaedic surgery residents and explores strategies to improve nutritional status and performance of residents.

A prospective survey created by a dietitian focused on performance nutrition was conducted among orthopaedic surgery residents at a large, tertiary, academic surgery residency program. Data were collected on demographics, nutritional habits, and perceptions of dietary practices.

The survey was completed by 30 orthopaedic surgery residents (19 M and 11 F; 29.8 ± 2.5 years). This cohort had inconsistent nutritional habits, characterized by irregular meal patterns, and frequently skipped meals. The most common barrier revolved around time constraints. Other barriers included stress/emotional eating and undesired weight changes. Male and female residents had similar demographics and outcomes, except that female residents more frequently reported having the highest energy level. Those who skipped meals had lower reported levels of nutritional knowledge and cited limited time to prepare or eat food compared with those who did not.

This study underscores the paradox of the "surgeon athlete," where despite facing physical demands like athletes, orthopaedic surgeons fail to prioritize their nutrition. This neglect can impair both performance and long-term health and may trickle down to worse patient care and outcomes. Addressing these issues requires a multifaceted approach. Institutional support is essential to improve access to healthy foods, nutrition education, and fostering a culture that values physician well being.