Checkup Shows Bush Is Fit as a Cello

President Bush was found in good health and pronounced “fit for duty” after an annual physical Saturday that also showed that the 58-year-old chief executive was, as he sheepishly conceded, “a little overweight.”

“I obviously have gone through a campaign where I probably ate too many doughnuts, if you get my drift,” said the usually trim Bush, who pledged to drop some weight in the new year. “But other than that, I feel great.”

The checkup at the National Naval Medical Center outside Washington, which took about three hours, found a few minor issues, according to a summary released by the White House.

Bush’s cholesterol level increased slightly, to 170 from 167 at his August 2003 physical, but he saw a large rise in his level of HDL, or good cholesterol, and a drop in his level of LDL, or bad cholesterol. The doctors said Bush’s risk for coronary artery disease was low or very low, saying he had evidence of mild coronary artery calcification.

A small lesion was removed from his left shoulder. The doctors said it appeared benign, but ordered a biopsy.

Some previous health problems continued: a mild high-frequency hearing loss that does not affect conversation and an optic condition that has the effect of farsightedness and causes him to use reading glasses

Otherwise, Bush was pronounced to be in a superior fitness category -- or the top fifth percentile -- for men his age, the statement said.

His resting pulse rate -- at 52 beats per minute compared with last year’s 45 -- still marks him as a healthy man. His resting blood pressure remained healthy at 110/60.

At nearly 6 feet tall, Bush’s weight increased to about 200 pounds from 194 pounds 17 months ago. His body fat percentage increased to 18.25 percent from 14.5 percent.

“My New Year’s resolution has become apparent after getting on the scales,” Bush said.