Meals at Medical Specialty Society Annual Meetings: A Preliminary Assessment

Abstract

Little isd known about how meals are chosen for medical meetings. We surveyed the annual meeting planners for 20 major specialty societies. Thirteen (65%) responded; all were currently planning their next meeting. Attendance in 2000 was reported at 113,477 physicians, with 2 million planned meals and snacks. No physician was named as responsible for food choices; the meeting planner and staff were primarily responsible for deciding what food to serve, excluding exhibit halls. Twelve (92%) respondents rated "available budget" as the most important factor. "Nutritional guidelines" were rated "very important" by eight of 13 (63%). However, no specific nutritional guidelines could be identified by any planner. All respondents indicated that members would attend a meeting if "healthy" food were the only option. For 2000, 100% of respondents indicated that for each lunch and for each dinner, a dessert had been included. No annual meeting and no planned 2001 meeting excluded potato chips, snack mixes, or candies at breaks; soda pop was offered at each break. Most respondents (89%) relied on a concluding questionnaire about the meeting facilities to evaluate the food. Respondents reported no difference in charges for "special meals," including vegetarian and kosher meals. Physicians may be unaware that some food served at medical meetings may impair learning, with excessive calorie, fat, and carbohydrate consumption. Small changes can improve the quality of food and beverages selected, without increased cost, and provide choices that conform to national nutritional guidelines. Medical meetings should serve flavorful, healthful food.

Associations Between Dietary Patterns and Sleep-Related Impairment in a Cohort of Community Physicians: A Cross-sectional Study

“…35,[67][68][69][70][71] In spite of this, meals provided to physicians and trainees during weekly conferences, grand rounds, or annual scientific meetings are often high in added sugars, refined carbohydrates, and saturated fat. 68,72 Although the majority of physicians eat prepared meals provided in health care settings, 72 physicians often have little to no input in the selection of the meals and snacks offered to them. 72 In addition, food vendors at health care organizations often display snacks high in added sugars, refined carbohydrates, and saturated fat (eg, cookies) at the point of purchase.…”

“…68,72 Although the majority of physicians eat prepared meals provided in health care settings, 72 physicians often have little to no input in the selection of the meals and snacks offered to them. 72 In addition, food vendors at health care organizations often display snacks high in added sugars, refined carbohydrates, and saturated fat (eg, cookies) at the point of purchase. 69 Our findings add to the evidence suggesting that changes in 73 This is consistent with a finding of a recent study that has shown that increases in the raw SRI scores (range 8 to 40) of 2 points or more are associated with increased risk of burnout in physicians.…”

Article Commentary: Physician Obesity: The Tipping Point

“…One hundred percent of respondents offered soda at each break. 8 Add to this deficiency the rigors of medical school and residency that leave learners with mountains of stress and debt but very little encouragement and incentive to get active, make basic healthful meals, or get more than 6 hours of sleep a night. Once learners finish their medical training, the ingrained habits of fast food and lack of sleep and exercise often do not abate.…”