Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Regarding Healthy Lifestyle Practices among Practising Doctors in Belagavi, India and their Association with Cardiometabolic Parameters: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Physicians are at heightened risk for unhealthy lifestyles owing to occupational pressures, despite their expertise in health promotion. This dissonance between knowledge and personal practice represents a critical, under-addressed issue within the medical community. Aim: To evaluate the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) regarding healthy lifestyles among doctors and examine their association with cardiometabolic parameters. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Physiology, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College (JNMC), Belagavi, India, from March 2025 to October 2025. Using convenience sampling, 83 practising doctors from various clinical specialities within Belagavi district were enrolled. A structured KAP questionnaire was developed through literature review and expert validation. Knowledge was scored across 10 items (correct/incorrect). Attitudes and practices were assessed using 10 items each on 5-point Likert and frequency scales, with total scores calculated per domain. A composite KAP index was derived by standardising and summing the three domain scores. Anthropometric {Body Mass Index (BMI), waist circumference), physiological-Blood Pressure (BP) and biochemical- Random Blood Glucose (RBG)} parameters were measured using standardised protocols. Relationships were assessed using Pearson’s correlation and multivariable linear regression, with adjustment for confounders including age, experience, and medication use. Results: The mean age of participants was 49.4±9.46 years, with 21.24±9.26 years of experience. Participants demonstrated moderate knowledge (mean 6.86±1.59/10) and positive attitudes (mean 40.76±3.64/50), but only moderate practice engagement (mean 33.61±6.45/50). The mean Body Mass Index (BMI) of participants was 24.48±2.37 kg/m², waist circumference 82.7±6.78 cm, Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) 116.76±6.57 mmHg, Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) 76.27±4.7 mmHg, and Random Blood Glucose (RBG) 98.8±15.01 mg/dL. Practice scores showed significant inverse correlations with BMI (r=-0.232, p-value=0.035), DBP (r=-0.354, p-value=0.001), and RBG (r=-0.272, p-value=0.013). Adjusted regression models confirmed that the 28 doctors (33.7%) in the highest composite KAP tertile had significantly lower diastolic blood pressure (β=-3.14, 95% CI: -5.68, -0.59) and random blood sugar (β=-8.54, 95% CI: -16.62, -0.46) compared to those in the lowest tertile. Conclusion: A significant KAP gap persists among physicians regarding healthy lifestyles. Notably, self-reported practices, rather than knowledge or attitudes, were independently associated with better cardiometabolic health outcomes.