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This research explores popular constructions of “healthiness” as individual lifestyle choices in the context of contemporary South African consumer culture, and how these constructions relate to formations of subjectivity. This is a qualitative study conducted within a social constructionist, theoretical framework. Data was collected using in-depth, semi structured interviews and are analysed using a Foucauldian inspired version of discourse analysis. A critical stance is taken towards the assumption in these discourses that their version of healthiness is always and unquestionably positive. Special attention is paid to the lifestyle and marketing media discourses appropriated in understandings of personal health through self-management, and of the optimization of health in the pursuit of well-being. The ways in which different discourses of healthiness facilitate the construction of specific identities are considered in order to untangle some of the problems created by the moralism underpinning popular consumer health discourse. How constructions of healthiness and aspirant healthy lifestyles support, and are supported by, the ideologies and practices of neoliberal capitalism are also explored. From this perspective, healthiness as lifestyle consumption choices can be seen as an ideological apparatus that produces the subjects necessary to reproduce the social order (Althusser, 2001), functioning not only positively amongst the social classes with the leisure and economic resources to pursue these options, but also negatively as victim-blaming of those who are excluded. The argument here is not that health is bad or that people should not be bothered with activities aimed at promoting good health, but that in a context where the concept of health is idealised as always positive and beneficial, the potentially harmful consequences of some of the health discourses we make use of may be occluded. This idealisation of health or ‘healthism’ may also function to divert attention away from some of the challenges to health that are not the direct result of personal behaviours and are unlikely to be remedied through individually focussed interventions, for example, inequality and inadequate access to basic resources. Six discourses which were used to construct understandings of health are analysed. These include Happiness, Freedom, Control, Care, Balance and Goodness. The ways in which these discourses played a role in constructing the kinds of subject positions which were made available to participants, and the possible implications this has, are explored in depth.

Two possible motivators for physical activity are health and appearance. The public sector focuses on health as the primary motivator when creating physical activity promotion campaigns, while the fitness industry uses appearance as its main motivator. Despite the call by some theorists that social marketers should include both health and appearance as motivators in physical activity campaigns, whether these factors can be successful independently, and how they may interact, remains to be determined. Therefore, the purpose of this dissertation was to examine whether televised health promotion exercise advertising had different effects on viewers than appearance-based exercise advertising. Four separate experiments examined this question. Experiment one used undergraduate participants (N = 103) to examine whether the two types of exercise advertising would have different effects on three dependent variables: exercise attitudes, social physique anxiety and self-presentation in an exercise setting. Experiment two examined the same questions in a group of participants aged 44 to 67 years (N = 29). Experiment three used an undergraduate sample (N = 89) to test the effects of exercise advertising on the three dependent variables, but also included sociocultural attitudes towards appearance as an independent variable. Experiment four used an undergraduate sample (N = 97) to test whether the two forms of exercise advertising had different effects on stages of behaviour change, self-efficacy for exercise, and decisional balance (from the transtheoretical model). All four experiments used a pre-test/post-test experimental design. Participants filled out pre-test questionnaires one week prior to viewing a twenty-minute video on Japanese culture that made no reference to exercise or sport. Embedded into the video were advertising breaks that contained six neutral advertisements and three target advertisements. The target advertisements in one video were promoting physical activity for health. The second video contained exercise for appearance advertisements, and the third was a control video with three more neutral advertisements. After viewing a video, participants completed the post-test questionnaires. The main findings across the series of experiments were that health-based exercise advertising positively influenced exercisers and older participants; that appearance-based exercise advertising had negative effects on men only; and that there is a distinction between self-presentational concerns in a non-competitive exercise environment compared to a competitive exercise environment. / Graduate

Thesis (MTech(Biomedical Technology) -- Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2010 / Defective sperm function is the most prevalent cause of male infertility. Mammalian sperm are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and are susceptible to attack by reactive oxygen species (ROS), an important mediator of sperm function. Normally, a balance is maintained between the amount of ROS produced and the antioxidant defense system. When an imbalance exists between ROS production and antioxidants protection in the favour of ROS activity, oxidative stress (OS) occurs which could lead to cellular damage. A shift in the levels of ROS towards pro-oxidation in semen can induce oxidative stress on sperm. This study compares the modulation of OS by an indigenous herbal tea (rooibos), Chinese green tea, commercial rooibos and green tea supplements in rat epididymal sperm and testicular function. Sixty male Wistar rats were supplemented with fermented or “green” rooibos, Chinese green tea, rooibos supplement, green tea supplement or water for ten weeks while inducing OS during the last two weeks. Rats consuming fermented rooibos and “green” rooibos showed a significant higher sperm concentration and motility. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was significantly higher in the sperm of rats that consumed fermented rooibos, “green rooibos” and green tea compared to the control. Also, the superoxide dismutase activity of the groups that received fermented rooibos, rooibos supplement and green tea increased significantly in the testicular tissue compared to control. Catalase (CAT) activity in the epididymal sperm was significantly increased in the rats consuming fermented rooibos, “green rooibos” and both rooibos and green tea supplements compared to the control. None of the tea treatments showed a significant effect on catalase activity in the testicular tissue. A tendency to increase this activity was observed in fermented rooibos, green tea, rooibos and green tea supplements. The glutathione levels of rats fed with fermented rooibos and “green” rooibos were significantly higher in the rat epididymal sperm compared to the control while the glutathione level of rats consuming green tea supplement also increased significantly in the testicular tissue compared to the control. None of the tea treatments showed a significant effect on lipid peroxidation and ROS levels in the rat sperm. Although rooibos fermented, “green” rooibos and rooibos supplements showed a tendency to lower the levels of these biomarkers when compared with the control group in epididymal sperm. However, the rooibos supplement showed a significantly reduced ROS levels in the testicular tissue. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that rooibos extract and green tea are effective as antioxidants by increasing the antioxidant enzyme activities and glutathione levels in oxidative stress-induced rats and could offer a measure of protection against oxidative damage, thereby improving sperm quality and function.

Thesis (MTech (Tourism and Hospitality Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2007 / The main objectives ofthis research were • To investigate how HIV/AIDS affect Southern African tourism, with specific reference to the tour operators. • To investigate measures taken by the Southern African tour operators and governments to combat HIVIAIDS and the chances of success. • To make some recommendations on what can further be done to fight HIV/AIDS in the Southern African tourism sector. T 0 conduct the literature study, the following methods were used: I. Literature search particularly about Southern Africa and in general, as well as news report has been conducted. H. Review ofHIV statistics. lll. Use of Internet. IV. Journals and government publications. RESULTS: The United Nations (2005: 22) indicates that Southern Africa is experiencing the highest rate of HIV infection in the world. The infection rate is particularly high among the young people (aged 15 - 49). This age group constitutes people who are economically active, and some of them work directly or indirectly in the tourism sector. THETA (2003: 4) conducted a study on a number of tourism and hospitality companies in South Africa. The study results indicate that 92% of the companies surveyed do not have HIVIAIDS educational programmes for their employees, and that 91% of the surveyed companies do not provide HIV/AIDS preventive measures like condoms to their workers at workplace.

Thesis (DTech (Tourism and Hospitality Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2010 / Purpose: Botswana is one of the countries with the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in the world. This research aims to investigate the impact of HIV/AIDS on the socio-economic environment in Botswana with special reference to the country’s tourism sector. Tourism plays a vital role in the economy of Botswana. It creates employment, earns foreign exchange, markets Botswana internationally, attracts foreign investments and contributes to Gross Domestic Products (GDP).Methodology: This report explains the HIV/AIDS situation and policy framework relative to the tourism sector in Botswana and in selected African countries through conducting an extensive literature review and empirical surveys. This is a quantitative research in which non-probability method is used to indentify the respondents. Here tourism general managers are identified and asked to identify their subordinates who are available and willing to participate in the survey by answering a self-administered questionnaire.Findings: This study indicates that HIV/AIDS threatens the Botswana tourism and the viability of the socio-economic factors. In general, the Southern African region is experiencing the highest rate of HIV infection in the world. The infection rate is particularly high among the young people (aged 15 – 49). This age group constitutes people who are economically active, and a number of them work directly or indirectly in the tourism sector. HIV/AIDS kills the economically active population – people who hold the skills, do the work, pay taxes, raise children, vote in the elections, and provide leadership. HIV/AIDS results in increased mortality and morbidity rates, and it also results in increased health expenditure. It also results in increased poverty level in the country.Practical implications: When observing the prevalence and impact of HIV/AIDS not only in the tourism sector but in general, it becomes evident that the fight against the disease should be a collaborative approach involving various sectors including tourism. Relying only on government and health sector to address the complex and systematic impact of HIV/AIDS cannot effectively combat the disease and its prevalence rate.Originality/value: This report analyses HIV/AIDS situation in Botswana in a creative way, contributing to the understanding of its impacts on the socio-economic environment as well as identifying strategies that can be used in addressing the impacts. This research is important for public policy makers, government officials, and tourism role-players to be aware of implications HIV/AIDS has on the socio-economic environment and take them into consideration in the policy formulation and implementation, business strategies and processes. It is also imperative to academics who would like to expand their knowledge on HIV/AIDS.

M.Tech. (Building Science) / A cross sectional survey was conducted in an air-conditioned building and a naturally ventilated building to establish the prevalence of Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) in these Johannesburg buildings. Numerous studies conducted in other countries have found that the prevalence of SBS symptoms are usually higher in sealed airconditioned buildings than naturally ventilated buildings. The study was conducted in two stages namely a questionnaire and indoor environmental survey which was conducted in both buildings. The results of the questionnaire survey showed that: ' All symptom prevalences in both building populations were very closely related, however the SBS symptoms in building B were more common than air-conditioned building. The indoor environmental survey measured the following parameters: carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, nitric oxide, total nitrogen oxides, total non methane hydrocarbons, respirable dust, asbestos, sound levels. No measurements were above any threshold limit values or relevant scientifically acceptable standards, however in the air-conditioned building levels of some pollutants were higher than the naturally ventilated building. The study found that the prevailences of SBS type symptoms in the naturally ventilated building were higher than those in the air-conditioned building. The type of building population could also affect the outcome as has been found by researchers in the United Kingdom. The predominant population in the naturally ventilated building consisted of government employees which could have affected symptom prevalence.

M.Tech. (Chiropractic) / The aim of this study was to determine whether improving a patient’s sleep ergonomics with the use of a cervical memory foam pillow was beneficial when combined with. A total of thirty participants volunteered to take part in this study - fifteen females and fifteen males. All were between the ages of eighteen and forty years old. The participants were randomly placed into one of two groups, each group consisting of fifteen participants. Group 1 received chiropractic manipulation to the restricted segment/s of the cervical spine, while Group 2 received both chiropractic manipulation to the restricted segment/s of the cervical spine and a Sleep Active® Memory Foam® cervical spine pillow. The participant of Group 2 were given their pillow and were given instructions on how to use the pillow at home whilst sleeping, and were requested to sleep with this pillow throughout the duration of the study. Procedure: In this study each participant received six chiropractic treatments over a period of three weeks and one final follow-up visit where no treatment was administered. Subjective and objective data was recorded at the beginning of the first, fourth and seventh consultations. The subjective data included the Numerical Pain Rating scale (NPRS), Vernon-Mior Neck Pain and Disability Index, the sleep component of the Vernon-Mior Neck Pain and Disability Index (component 7) and a modified Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Objective data included measurement of cervical spine range of motion with the use of a goniometer. Results: Statistical analysis performed included the non-parametric tests to determine if significant statistical results were found over time. The Friedman and Wilcoxon Signed Rank Tests were performed for intra-group analysis and the Mann-Whitney U Test for intergroup analysis. Further correlation studies were conducted using the parametric, Pearson’s Test. The statistical analysis revealed significant statistical changes for intra-group results for both Group 1 and Group 2 and also significant statistical results for the intergroup analysis of the NPRS. The Vernon-Mior Neck Pain and Disability Index and the PSQI, yielded similar results - significant statistical changes within the intra-group analysis were found. The sleep component of the Vernon-Mior Neck Pain and Disability Index (Component 7) showed no significant statistical change for the participants of Group 1, however, a significant statistical change was found for the participants of Group 2. No significant statistical difference was found between the groups for the intergroup analysis, over time. Correlation studies between pain (NPRS) and sleep (Sleep Component of the Vernon-Mior Neck Pain and Disability Index) were included in the statistical analysis. It was found that no correlation between sleep and pain existed for those participants in Group 1, whereas Group 2 showed a trend between pain and sleep. The objective data collected from this study (cervical spine range of motion) was inconclusive. Conclusion: The results demonstrated that addressing sleep ergonomics with the use of Sleep Active® Memory Foam® Pillows to be an effective addition to a chiropractic treatment protocol when treating patients diagnosed with chronic cervical facet syndrome. Additionally, a relationship between sleep and pain was shown to exist and poor sleep should be considered when treating patients with chronic pain syndromes.

M.Sc. / The main objective of this project was to synthesize carbohydrates that contain a thiol functional group, commonly known as thiocarbohydrates and subsequently employ them as stabilizing agents in the synthesis of gold nanoparticles and as ligands in the synthesis of phosphine thiocarbohydrate gold(I) complexes. In achieving our objective, thiocarbohydrate compounds 62, 64, 69 and 71 were successfully synthesized from acetylated 60 or benzylated glucal 66 using a Ferrier rearrangement reaction. NaHSO4-SiO2 was used as a catalyst for Ferrier rearrangement reaction in the presence of dithiol type nucleophiles (i.e. 1,2-dithiol ethane or 1,5-dithiol pentane) to afford the desired thiocarbohydrate compounds. The S-acetate derivatives 63, 65, 70 and 72 of the corresponding thiocarbohydrates were prepared as a confirmatory test for the presence of the terminal thiol (SH) in the thiocarbohydrate compounds. C-2 modified thiocarbohydrate compounds 78 and 80 were synthesized from C-2 iodomethyl glycoside 77 following a literature reported procedure in the presence of 1,2-dithiol ethane or 1,5-dithiol pentane as nucleophiles. S-acetate derivatives 79 and 81 of the corresponding thiocarbohydrate compounds were synthesized again to confirm the presence of the terminal thiol (SH). All the thiocarbohydrate compounds and their corresponding S-acetate derivatives were characterized with NMR spectroscopy and HRMS. Ethyl thiocarbohydrate compounds 62, 69 and 78 were successfully employed as stabilizing agents in the preparation of gold nanoparticles GNP1-GNP9 following a Brust-Schiffrin procedure. UV-Vis spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to characterize these gold nanoparticles. Phosphine thiocarbohydrate gold(I) complexes 84-94 were synthesized from selected thiocarbohydrate compounds. NMR spectroscopy and HRMS were used to characterize these gold(I) complexes. Having synthesized the target thiocarbohydrate compounds, gold nanoparticles and gold(I) complexes, our aim was to investigate their biological activity against cancer and HIV. However, the biological testing process took considerably longer and as a result this dissertation was submitted without the biological tests results.

M.A. / Irritable bowel syndrome has the dubious honour of being one of the most widely researched, yet poorly understood gastrointestinal disorders. Vast amounts of research have been conducted into every facet of this disorder, yet the investigations yield results that are often contradictory and more conducive to complication than clarification. In light of the quote above, it becomes apparent that research into IBS has fulfilled the requirements for 'serious research', leaving medical practitioners and researchers with more questions than answers. Irritable bowel syndrome is a bowel disorder characterised by abdominal pain and either diarrhoea or constipation (Bennett, 1989). It is estimated to affect 8 to 15% of the population, and accounts for between 50% and 70% of referrals to gastroenterology clinics (Whitehead & Schuster, 1985). Such a common disorder should be well understood but it is not. In fact, there is little consensus amongst clinicians and researchers concerning the underlying cause of this syndrome. Organic causes which have been suggested include abnormal motor activity of the intestinal tract (Snape et al., 1976), abnormal gut hormone secretion and sensitivity (Ritchie, 1973, in Lynn & Friedman, 1993) and diet (Jones et al., 1982, in Corney et al., 1991). Many studies have also indicated that psychological factors are important and that patients with this syndrome are more neurotic, depressed or anxious than others (Hislop, 1971; Young et al., 1976). Research findings have tended to be contradictory, yet one common thread throughout the literature has been the role that stress seems to play in both the onset and maintenance of IBS. A number of studies have been conducted in this area, yet once again the findings have been contradictory and little clarity has been achieved. It is against this background that the aims of the present study can be described. The aims of the present study are twofold. The first, and most specific aim is to clarify the relationship between psychological stress and IBS. In particular, the present investigation will explore the differences in daily and occupational stress between healthy individuals and those suffering from IBS. The second aim of this research more general, and concerns theory building. This is particularly important in a field where there has been so much ambiguity and confusion.