Thesis (MPH.) -- University of Limpopo, 2021 / Background: Employee Health and Wellness Programme is an intervention by government to build and maintain a health promoting workplace. The programme aims to address various health and wellness problems employees‟ face that may negatively impact their performance and productivity. The programme is available for social workers; however, their utilisation is low. It is important to understand how social workers perceive the programme, in order to enhance provision of this programme to them and to promote their general health and wellness. Objectives: The study was aimed at exploring and describing the perceptions of social workers about the Employee Health and Wellness Programme. Methods: A qualitative, exploratory descriptive study was conducted using semi-structured face-to-face interview. The study site was at the selected locations in the Polokwane Municipality. Purposive sampling was used and due to data saturation, 10 participants were interviewed. All the interview sessions were audio recorded, transcribed and analysed using content analysis. Results: The results highlighted positive and negative perceptions about the Employee Health and Wellness Programme among social workers and the Department of Social Development. The positive perceptions include alleviating stress and burnout, reduced sick leaves and increased productivity. The negative perceptions include stigma and confidentiality issues. The results also revealed challenges of accessibility, awareness, promotion and marketing of the programme. These challenges make it difficult for social workers to utilise and benefit from the programme as expected. Conclusions: The Employee Health and Wellness Programme should be well implemented, widely marketed and promoted to all employees within the Department of Social Development.

Health and wellness programs are being utilized by organizations at growing rates. Research on health and wellness programs is typically confined to the program of a single organization and the employees participating in that specific program. Typically, this research examines the outcomes of health and wellness programs in organizations, such as return on investment in terms of medical costs, as well as improvements in the health of the employees. However, little information is known about those who choose to participate in health and wellness programs and the characteristics that may influence their participation. This study examined the relationship between demographic characteristics and likelihood of participation in health and wellness programs, as well as the relationship between program characteristics and likelihood of participation. Differences in likelihood of participation were found between different program types. Women were found to be more likely to participate than men, in most cases. Likelihood of participation increased as the incentive amount increased and decreased if the program incentive had a loss frame. Likelihood of participation was also higher for participation-based incentives compared to outcome-based incentives.

Thesis (M.A. (Organisational Psychology))--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Humanities, School of Human and Community Development, 2016. / The purpose of this study was to explore cashiers’ and management’s perceptions of the usefulness of a company-provided employee assistance programme (EAP) with particular reference to wellness counselling. This study focused specifically on the four principles governing EAPs, namely; confidentiality, referral system, helping process and handling of outcome. Fifteen participants were recruited for this study from a cash centre of a financial institution in Johannesburg. There were ten males and five females. A qualitative methodology was used to collect and analyse data. The instruments used to collect data were two participant-generated text schedules, one for cashiers and the other for managers. Data were analysed using thematic content analysis. The results of the study showed that both employees and management found the EAP useful in the workplace. The direction for future research in South Africa could focus on conducting a longitudinal study to evaluate the impact and effectiveness of wellness counselling / MT2017

Thesis (MPH.) -- University of Limpopo, 2005 / Refer to document

Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of death in most Westernised countries. The prevalence of obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus and cancers is rapidly increasing. Older people with elevated blood lipids, obesity and DNA damage are at high risk of developing these diseases. There is a plethora of research to support the claim that a healthy diet and increased physical activity can reduce the risk of increased body fatness, diabetes and generally improve health. However, most interventions require intensive one to one advice. The aim of this study was to measure the effect of a group approach to advising on changes in lifestyle with particular attention to foods high in fibre. The study spanned a period of 12 weeks with a follow up session at 52 weeks to ascertain sustainability. The study: This study was a 12 week longitudinal intervention study with a follow up after 52 weeks. Measurements of anthropometry (skin folds, girths, weight and height), blood pressure, body fat by bio impedance and fasting blood (lipids, glucose and insulin) were made at weeks 0, 3, 6, 9,1 2 and 52. The participants were asked to complete a food frequency questionnaire and a physical activity questionnaire at each of the 6 measuring sessions and to provide an indication of what the goals that they had set and if they had accomplished them after 9,12 and 52 weeks. Between measurements at weeks 0 and 3 the volunteers were left to follow their usual food and activity pattern. Then as a group they were given a diet and exercise talk and provided with written material and pedometers to increase motivation. After measurement at week 6 they were randomly divided into two groups. The first group (A) were prescribed and provided with kiwifruit at a dose of 100g/30 kg body weight for three weeks while the second group (B) continued with the changes in diet and physical activity. Following measurement at week 9 group A abstained from kiwifruit while Group B added the kiwifruit to their diet and the measurements repeated. After 52 weeks, with only emails as ongoing communication, they were remeasured. Results For this multicultural, relatively middle aged group of 53 staff (28 women, 25 men) of mean age 46 years, measurable and statistically significant metabolic gains were made in the lipid profile over 12 weeks. Total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides and the ratio of total cholesterol to HDL all decreased and HDL increased significantly. Total cholesterol decreased from 5.6(±1.1) mean (±SD) mmol/L at baseline to 5.3(±1.1) mmol/L at week 12 (p<0.001); LDL cholesterol decreased from 3.5(±0.97) mmol/L at baseline to 3.3(±0.94) mmol/L at week 12 (p<0.001); and total cholesterol to HDL ratio decreased from 4.0(±1.1) to 3.7(±0.9) (p<0.001). In the 36 who were measured at 52- week follow- up these changes persisted. With the other outcome measures glucose showed a statistically but not biologically significant decrease over the 12 week period and body composition, blood pressure and insulin showed no significant change. The kiwifruit crossover had no apparent affect on the measures of any of the measurements reported. The participants reported that they increased fruit and vegetable and oily fish consumption and increased physical activity. These increases took place over the initial 12 week period and were maintained over 52 weeks. Conclusion: This study has shown that changes in diet and physical activity can favourably influence blood biochemistry even without accompanying changes in percentage body fat and weight. Furthermore, small, manageable lifestyle changes can result in biochemical changes persisting over 52 weeks.

Thesis (M.S.) -- Mississippi State University. Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering. / Title from title screen. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph.D. (Industrial Psychology)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.

As healthcare costs continue to rise across the country more companies are beginning to look for new strategies to cut costs. The evolving health and wellness industry has been shown to reduce expenditures from costly medical services by improving long term healthy behaviors in the work force, aiming to impact the demand and supply sides of healthcare. This paper looks at the history behind the health and wellness movement and specifically evaluates Healthy Incentives, King County's own health and wellness initiative and the impact such a program has on direct medical expenditures as well as key health risk factors that are affecting millions of working Americans.

Thesis (M.Sc.)--Saint Mary's University, 2009. / Running head: Factors affecting applicant attraction Includes abstract. Supervisor: Victor Catano. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 41-46).

Thesis (M.A.)--West Virginia University, 2001. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains v, 68 p. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 49-68).