Evaluation of physicians’ knowledge levels concerning healthy lifestyle behaviors

Abstract

Background: The term “healthy lifestyle behaviors” (HLBs) refers to a way of living that lowers the risk of being seriously ill or dying early. Aim: To assess physicians’ behaviors concerning healthy lifestyle behaviors. Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted in the form of a face-to-face survey with physicians actively working at a training and research hospital. Using the simple random sampling method, the minimum number of physicians to be included in the study was calculated as 236. A survey form comprising three parts was used to collect data: a participant information form, the Periodic Health Examinations and Screening Tests Behavior Questionnaire, and the Health‑Promoting Lifestyle Profile (HPLP). The lowest obtainable score on the HPLP scale is 52, while the highest score is 208. Results: The mean age of the physicians participating in the study was 30.14 ± 4.81 years. Of the participants, 62.7% (n = 165) were women. The mean score of the study participants was 128.03 ± 19.4. The mean scores on the dimensions of the HPLP were 20.71 ± 4.12 for nutrition, 17.99 ± 4.77 for physical activity, 19.28 ± 3.75 for stress management, 25.19 ± 4.01 for interpersonal relations, 21.08 ± 4.26 for health responsibility, and 23.77 ± 4.49 for spiritual growth. Conclusions: Physicians who participated in the study had a low HPLP score, despite the expectation that they should be more sensitive and serve as role models in adopting healthy living since they provide related recommendations to their patients.