I just read about a study that confirms what I always thought. When you are really using your mind to solve problems and do other “intellectual” pursuits, you tend to have a higher caloric intake. This is glaringly apparent in my eating habits. There exists a great contrast between my caloric intake on my days off and the days that I am working. On a day off (like today), I eat a moderate breakfast, very little lunch, almost no snacks and a small to medium dinner. The complete opposite occurs when I am working. I need a large breakfast and then pretty much gorge myself at lunch. Dinner, which is usually delayed because of the way our shifts work, is also a gluttony – fest. I swear I eat almost double the calories when I am working. Why? I am using my brain vigourously. The main skill an ER doc develops in the ability to multitask. You need to maintain awareness of 20 or more patients at one time and be prepared for your nice little plan of action to be messed up. A consultant calls back finally, a new sick patient comes in, all the labs are delayed, a family member needs a extra-long explanation, etc. You are constantly reshuffling what needs to be done next. That, plus you are constantly forming opinions based on streaming data (patients’ histories, lab results, CT scan results, etc) and solving problems. Thank God you are also walking a lot. I remember a study (sorry but I can’t find the reference) that stated that the average ER doc walks between 3 and 6 miles during a 12 hour shift. I wonder if anyone ever looked at the average weight of an ER doc (or nurse) and compared it to how many hours they work per week. I would gather the more you work, the fatter you are!
This truly begs the question, are you overweight? And what about all that walking? You’re still eating more calories than what you burn during a shift?
As an ER Tech (grunts of the ER) in Arizona during the winter months (busiest time of year) I have documented, during a twelve hour shift, 10 miles a shift.
cardiogirl, I am overweight but working on that outside of work, by working out more and eating better!
I am 5′ 11 1/2″ and 183 lbs. I am sure if I worked more I would be over 190!
And don’t forget the messed up sleep schedules and reduced REM sleep time also contribute to weight gain!
omg CUSHINGS!
ERP, by my calculations, your BMI is around 25.2, so you’re not overweight, but you might want to start jogging around the ER instead of walking. And drink more water at work! (Don’t get mad; I’m just being a nudge). :)
Well no wonder I’m so skinny! Ha, ha
m (2), by The National Heart Lung and Blood Institution ERP is “overweight” (see chart below)
Underweight = <18.5
Normal weight = 18.5-24.9
Overweight = 25-29.9
Obesity = BMI of 30 or greater
Not to worry Doc, I’m obese at 5’8 1/2″ 245 lbs!
So, if a patient is unruly and disrespectful to the staff and I am on duty, you can be sure I will be called in to help diffuse the situation. Not only for my brawn but for my facile tongue.
OK Jody I need to hit the gym!
Damn Jody, I have to applaud your honesty and admire your brawn.
And an interesting side note I, too, am 5′8-1/2″. In the interest of full disclosure I am 158. But I’d rather be 145.
Sorry I’m a little snob but…have you ever heard about Metric System? :-) It’s twenty-first century people!