NYITCOM promotes a healthy lifestyle inside and outside of classroom

From day one of medical school, DOs learn to focus on prevention by promoting a healthy lifestyle to their patients. First-year medical students at the New York Institute Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine in Old Westbury, New York, have the opportunity to practice integrating those healthy habits into their own lives as part of a new randomized pilot trial.

As part of the Fit Physicians year-long study, 40 of 120 medical students in the trial are using activity monitors, attending monthly wellness lectures and receiving regular feedback on their exercise regimens. The study will measure physical activity, academic scores, sleep and stress levels in this group against two other groups: a control group and a group that will wear fitness trackers but not participate in wellness programs.

“As a medical school, we need to be a leader in promoting health and wellness for our students, our faculty members, our patients at the Riland Academic Health Care Center, and the patients of the future,” said Jerry Balentine, DO, a co-investigator for the study, in a statement from the school.

The researchers will present their findings at the American College of Sports Medicine conference in May 2017.