Barack Obama in 'excellent' health, sheds over 2kg: White House doctor

Barack Obama has shed over two kilos and grown a half-inch in the past two years, the White House doctor says, giving the 54-year-old US President an “excellent” overall health certificate.

The information was revealed in Obama’s latest medical examination, released to the public by the presidential physician Dr Ronny Jackson.

The latest chart shows Obama weighing in at 175 pounds (79 kg), with a body mass index of 22.8 and a resting heart rate of 56 beats per minute.

That’s an improvement from his still-healthy 180 pounds (81 kg) in 2014. Back then his height was 73 inches; the latest report showed him growing to 73.5 inches.

Exams of the president’s bodily systems checked out normal. The doctor said Obama has begun taking Nexium for occasional acid reflux symptoms.

Obama, a former smoker, continues to use nicotine gum once in a while.

“The President’s overall health remains excellent and is improved from his last formal assessment,” Jackson concluded.

“His adherence to a healthy diet and a consistent exercise programme has resulted in an improved lean body mass and lower cholesterol level. All clinical data indicates that the President is currently very healthy and that he will remain so for the duration of his Presidency.”

Obama, the 44^th US President and the first African-American to hold the office, will leave the White House on January 20, 2017 after two consecutive four-year terms.