Implementation and participant profile of a lifestyle medicine clinic at an urban health training centre in India: a prospective observational program evaluation

Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) pose a public health challenge in urban India. Lifestyle medicine may complement primary care. Objectives were to describe the implementation and participant profile of a Lifestyle Medicine Outpatient Department (OPD) at Urban Health Training Centre (UHTC) in India and to assess follow-up retention. Methods: This prospective observational program evaluation study was conducted at UHTC in India from December 2025 to May 2026 (6 months). Adults aged with ³18 years with known or newly detected NCDs were enrolled consecutively. The intervention comprised individualized lifestyle counselling, fortnightly group education on hypertension and diabetes, and behavioural counselling for substance use. Anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, and HbA1c were assessed at enrolment, while retention was assessed through attendance at scheduled follow-up visits. Results: The mean age was 62.75±10.45 years; 64.4% were aged ≥60 years. Hypertension was the most prevalent comorbidity (55.0%), followed by diabetes mellitus (21.5%). Using Asian Indian BMI cutoffs, 75.8% were overweight or obese. HbA1c assessment revealed diabetic values in 37.6% and prediabetic values in 6.7% of participants. First follow-up attendance was 22.1%, declining progressively to 1.3% by the fifth visit. Conclusions: A lifestyle medicine program can be incorporated into the UHTC framework and reach a population with substantial cardiometabolic risk. However, very low follow-up retention limits the potential for sustained behavioural support and evaluation of clinical outcomes. Strategies including community outreach, digital follow-up, and community health worker support should be incorporated into future program implementation.