Research

Influence of GPs’ unhealthy lifestyle on patients’ adherence to lifestyle recommendations: a cross-sectional study in Belgian primary care

Julie Kerremans and Birgitte Schoenmakers
BJGP Open 2025; 9 (3): BJGPO.2024.0221. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3399/BJGPO.2024.0221

Article Figures & Data

Tables

  • Table 1. Responder characteristics
    Characteristic% (n/N)Median (IQR)
    Gender   
    Woman73.2 (342/466) 
    Man26.1 (122/466) 
    Non-binary or third gender0.4 (2/466) 
    Age, years  26 (21.5)
    Subjective physical health  8/10 (1)
    Subjective mental health  7/10 (1)

    • IQR = interquartile range.

  • Table 2. Need for lifestyle advice
    Need for adviceMedian (IQR)
    Smoking cessation0/10 (0)
    Alcohol use0/10 (2)
    Vaccination1/10 (5)
    Eating habits5/10 (5)
    Physical activity5/10 (6)
    Sleep hygiene and rest5/10 (5)
    Stress and relaxation6/10 (5)
    Other0/10 (0)

    • IQR = interquartile range.

  • Table 3. Influence of GPs’ unhealthy lifestyle on adherence and feeling of judgement
    Category, % (n/N)AdherenceFeeling of judgement
    MoreLessNo
    influence    		MoreLessNo influence
    AdviceSmoking cessationUnhealthy lifestyle of GPSmoking5.4
    (25/466)    		 62.3
    (291/466)    		32.3
    (151/466)    		11.6
    (54/465)    		 41.1
    (191/465)    		 47.3
    (220/465)
    Alcohol useAlcohol misuse3.2
    (15/466)    		 64.9
    (303/466)    		31.9
    (149/466)
    VaccinationUnvaccinated3.9
    (18/466)    		 49.7
    (232/466)    		 46.5
    (217/466)
    Eating habitsOverweight4.3
    (20/466)    		 51.2
    (239/466)    		 44.5
    (208/466)
    Physical activityPhysically inactive2.6
    (12/466)    		33.0
    (154/466)    		 64.5
    (301/466)
    Sleep hygiene and restSeverely tired9.0
    (42/466)    		28.3
    (132/466)    		 62.7
    (293/466)
    Stress and relaxationPoor work–life balance9.6
    (45/466)    		34.0
    (159/466)    		 56.3
    (263/466)
    Feeling of judgement16.1
    (74/461)    		 68.8
    (317/461)    		15.2
    (70/461)    		   

    • Bold = P<0.05.

  • Table 4. Influence of responder characteristics on less adherence and more feeling of judgement
    CategoryLess adherence versus no influence, OR (95% CI)More feeling of judgement versus no influence
    Smoking
    cessation    		Alcohol useVaccinationEating habitsPhysical activitySleep hygiene and restStress and
    relaxation    		Feeling of judgement
    Gender0.665
    (0.423 to 1.046)
    P = 0.077    		1.352
    (0.873 to 2.094)
    P = 0.177    		1.269
    (0.837 to 1.926)
    P = 0.262    		0.758
    (0.501 to 1.148)
    P = 0.191    		1.026
    (0.665 to 1.583)
    P = 0.907    		0.881
    (0.558 to 1.390)
    P = 0.586    		1.044
    (0.670 to 1.625)
    P = 0.849    		1.761
    (1.009 to 3.073)
    P = 0.047    		0.984
    (0.507 to 1.911)
    P = 0.963
    Age 0.979
    (0.966 to 0.992)
    P = 0.002    		 0.983
    (0.970 to 0.996)
    P = 0.008    		 0.975
    (0.963 to 0.989)
    P<0.001    		0.988
    (0.976 to 1.001)
    P = 0.066    		0.996
    (0.983 to 1.009)
    P = 0.545    		0.999
    (0.985 to 1.013)
    P = 0.880    		1.001
    (0.988 to 1.015)
    P = 0.847    		 0.973
    (0.957 to 0.998)
    P = 0.001    		1.004
    (0.985 to 1.023)
    P = 0.677
    Subjective physical health0.976
    (0.829 to 1.149)
    P = 0.768    		1.094
    (0.930 to 1.287)
    P = 0.277    		0.959
    (0.821 to 1.121)
    P = 0.602    		0.930
    (0.795 to 1.089)
    P = 0.367    		 0.799
    (0.677 to 0.942)
    P = 0.008    		0.859
    (0.727 to 1.015)
    P = 0.073    		0.934
    (0.797 to 1.095)
    P = 0.399    		0.986
    (0.791 to 1.227)
    P = 0.897    		0.819
    (0.653 to 1.026)
    P = 0.082
    Subjective mental health1.008
    (0.866 to 1.174)
    P = 0.918    		0.929
    (0.797 to 1.083)
    P = 0.345    		0.928
    (0.803 to 1.071)
    P = 0.307    		0.972
    (0.844 to 1.119)
    P = 0.689    		1.053
    (0.908 to 1.220)
    P = 0.494    		0.997
    (0.854 to 1.164) P = 0.972    		0.926
    (0.797 to 1.075)
    P = 0.313    		0.873
    (0.704 to 1.082)
    P = 0.214    		0.928
    (0.747 to 1.152)
    P = 0.496
    Need for advice0.973
    (0.900 to 1.053)
    P = 0.502    		1.033
    (0.948 to 1.124)
    P = 0.459    		1.000
    (0.940 to 1.063)
    P = 0.997    		0.960
    (0.900 to 1.024)
    P = 0.213    		0.955
    (0.893 to 1.021)
    P = 0.175    		0.995
    (0.928 to 1.066)
    P = 0.879    		1.004
    (0.939 to 1.075)
    P = 0.899

    • Bold = P<0.05. OR = odds ratio.

  • Table 5. Influence of responder characteristics on more adherence and less feeling of judgement
    CategoryMore adherence versus no influence, OR (95% CI)Less feeling of judgement versus no influence
    Smoking
    cessation    		Alcohol useVaccinationEating habitsPhysical activitySleep hygiene and restStress and
    relaxation    		Feeling of judgement
    Gender1.095
    (0.433 to 2.767)
    P = 0.848    		2.623
    (0.763 to 9.018)
    P = 0.126    		1.795
    (0.587 to 5.488)
    P = 0.305    		1.109
    (0.388 to 3.173)
    P = 0.846    		1.573
    (0.416 to 5.944)
    P = 0.504    		0.703
    (0.348 to 1.417)
    P = 0.324    		1.456
    (0.701 to 3.022)
    P = 0.314    		1.395
    (0.700 to 2.782)
    P = 0.344    		1.029
    (0.668 to 1.585)
    P = 0.896
    Age1.012
    (0.986 to 1.039)
    P = 0.361    		1.013
    (0.981 to 1.046)
    P = 0.429    		1.025
    (0.996 to 1.054)
    P = 0.088    		1.010
    (0.982 to 1.039)
    P = 0.474    		1.022
    (0.988 to 1.058)
    P = 0.212    		0.994
    (0.972 to 1.016)
    P = 0.567    		0.998
    (0.976 to 1.020)
    P = 0.842    		0.987
    (0.968 to 1.007)
    P = 0.198    		 0.976
    (0.962 to 0.990)
    P = 0.001
    Subjective physical health1.170
    (0.801 to 1.708)
    P = 0.417    		1.329
    (0.825 to 2.142)
    P = 0.243    		0.804
    (0.558 to 1.157)
    P = 0.240    		0.894
    (0.622 to 1.284)
    P = 0.545    		0.913
    (0.565 to 1.475)
    P = 0.710    		0.890
    (0.682 to 1.161)
    P = 0.389    		1.044
    (0.795 to 1.371)
    P = 0.757    		1.094
    (0.827 to 1.447)
    P = 0.528    		0.965
    (0.820 to 1.137)
    P = 0.672
    Subjective mental health0.914
    (0.657 to 1.272)
    P = 0.594    		0.838
    (0.556 to 1.265)
    P = 0.401    		1.135
    (0.755 to 1.707)
    P = 0.542    		1.005
    (0.706 to 1.432)
    P = 0.977    		1.017
    (0.649 to 1.591)
    P = 0.943    		1.270
    (0.967 to 1.668)
    P = 0.085    		1.171
    (0.895 to 1.534)
    P = 0.250    		0.968
    (0.741 to 1.265)
    P = 0.812    		1.017
    (0.877 to 1.179)
    P = 0.825
    Need for advice1.110
    (0.972 to 1.268)
    P = 0.123    		1.167
    (0.963 to 1.414)
    P = 0.114    		0.970
    (0.828 to 1.135)
    P = 0.702    		1.004
    (0.859 to 1.173)
    P = 0.962    		1.005
    (0.830 to 1.217)
    P = 0.955    		1.075
    (0.962 to 1.202)
    P = 0.202    		1.005
    (0.903 to 1.120)
    P = 0.921

    • Bold = P<0.05. OR = odds ratio.

  • Table 6. Free comments
    ConceptsMentions, n
    Role model function of the GP11
    Own responsibility for health8
    Appreciation for medical advice6
    Unclearness of questions6
    Unknown lifestyle of the GP5
    Limited time and attention during consultations5
    Understanding approach5
    Subject-dependent assessment4
    Change of GP3
    Respect for privacy and professional boundaries3
    Doubt about the competence and expertise of GPs2
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BJGP Open
Vol. 9, Issue 3
October 2025
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Influence of GPs’ unhealthy lifestyle on patients’ adherence to lifestyle recommendations: a cross-sectional study in Belgian primary care
Julie Kerremans, Birgitte Schoenmakers
BJGP Open 2025; 9 (3): BJGPO.2024.0221. DOI: 10.3399/BJGPO.2024.0221
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Intended for Healthcare Professionals
 
 

British Journal of General Practice