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Procedures for the ergonomic use of desktop computer technology are well documented. The design of computer workstations, positioning of the body, and ergonomic work practices have received a great deal of attention and the relevant ergonomic principles are extensively covered in books, manuals, information guides, and web sites. Despite the proliferation of material, however, there is a wide gap between theory and practice. This thesis investigates the reasons why by comparing the knowledge of practice, derived from four field studies at different times in different kinds of organisation, with the extensive literature on ergonomics that was available at the time. The studies showed that levels of ergonomic knowledge and the priority given to ergonomic computer use were low, irrespective of location, but generally better in public - sector organisations. However, academic staff and post - graduate students reported least awareness of ergonomic principles, were least likely to have received training in ergonomics provided by their organisation, and experienced the highest proportion of physical health symptoms. Most workers did not know whether their organisation had written policies and procedures regarding the ergonomic use of computers. The majority believed ergonomic computer use was not given sufficient priority within their organisation and that they needed to spend more time in training on ergonomics. Most were satisfied with their job ; the work was interesting and there was a variation of tasks. The work environments were generally supportive and the people had adequate job control, although urgencies and deadlines dominated the organisation of work. Overall, the respondents were methodical, thorough, conscientious people who demonstrated generally compliant behaviour in other health promotion areas. It was concluded that the computer users would be more likely than not to apply ergonomic principles to their work if given appropriate information, training and encouragement. The findings highlighted the prevalence of non - ergonomic computer work and provided insights into the nature and extent of the computer - related health problems being experienced. They could have fuelled more commitment to ergonomic computer use within organisations and the development of a workplace culture that took this aspect of work safety seriously and put the proliferating information available into action. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Medical School, 2004.

Thesis (doctoral)--University of Helsinki, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available online.

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The purpose of these studies was to explore the roles of dietary strategies and bariatric surgery in obesity treatment. The breakfast study was a randomized, crossover trial used to evaluate the role of egg proteins, and a retrospective chart review was conducted to obtain comparative information about two different bariatric surgeries. The breakfast study included 20 subjects who were randomized to receive an egg breakfast (EB) or a cereal breakfast (CB) matched for energy density and macronutrient composition but different protein quality for one week. Following a washout period, each subject was crossed over to receive the opposite breakfast for one week. The EB resulted in lower cumulative lunchtime food intake (p=0.05), reduced hunger on day 1 (p=0.001), greater feelings of fullness on days 1 and 7 (p=0.02), and decreased desire to eat on day 1 (p=0.03). Acylated ghrelin was lower on day 1 of the EB compared to the CB (p=0.005) but not on day 7. PYY was greater at 120 minutes (p=0.006) and 180 minutes (p=0.001) on day 1 and at 180 minutes on day 7 (p=0.03) after the EB. The bariatric surgery studies examined 835 Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) patients and 766 vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) patients. Study one focused on patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (T2D). The acute effect bariatric surgery had on resolving T2D was measured by calculating the number of patients who discontinued their hypoglycemic medication use post-operatively. Upon discharge, 95 of the 123 (77.2%) RYGB patients and 107 of the 139 (77.0%) VSG patients had been taken off their medication. Eight weeks post-operatively, 30 of the 38 (~79%) RYGB patients and 59 of the 71 (83%) VSG patients with follow-up data remained off medication. Study two examined differences in weight loss, early post-operative surgical complications, and insurance coverage between RYGB and VSG patients. RYGB patients lost more weight at one and two years (p<0.001 for both). There was no significant difference in the percentage of weight loss or complications in insured versus self-pay patients. RYGB patients experienced a higher incidence of major complications than VSG patients (p<0.001).