US President Barack Obama's latest checkup shows him in excellent health, his personal physician said yesterday.

"The president's overall health remains excellent and is improved from his last formal assessment," Dr Ronny Jackson said in a statement issued by the White House.

"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, 54, took office in 2009 and will leave office on Jan 20, 2017, after two four-year terms.

He weighs 79kg at 1.87 metres tall. Obama has a resting heart rate of 56 beats per minute, and a relatively low blood pressure of 110/68, according to the statement.

The checkup in February was his first since June 2014.

Jackson said that Obama has 20/20 vision and normal organ systems from head to toe.

He gets a seasonal influenza vaccination and takes daily vitamin D. A former smoker, Obama makes "occasional use" of nicotine gum and takes Nexium as needed to treat occasional acid reflux.

He takes malarone, an anti-malarial drug, when travelling in areas subject to the mosquito-borne disease.

Jackson said that Obama "continues to exercise daily with a focus on aerobic fitness and resistance weight training".

"The president continues to focus on healthy lifestyle choices," Jackson wrote. "He eats a healthy diet, remains tobacco free, and only drinks alcohol occasionally and in moderation."

- dpa