The study is about understanding how workplaces can implement health promotion to promote, preserve and improve employees' health and well-being at work. The aim: The aim of this study was that from a health promotion perspective and with some prior understanding of what contributes to job satisfaction, study what job satisfaction is perceived to be and  if there is a relation between job satisfaction and to learn and develop in working life. Method: Through a qualitative interview-study, 8 interviews were conducted with employees from a private company and a local administration. Based on some certain preconceptions about what it is that contributes to job satisfaction in the workplace and with a hermeneutic approach, the employee’s experiences through statements of job satisfaction and learning and development in the workplace were interpreted in order to understand if there was a relationship between them. Results: The study's results suggest that employees experience job satisfaction in the form of pride, satisfaction and security and that employees feel that they learn and develop through challenges and by the exchange of experience. The results also suggest that internal forces are something that can explain a relationship between job satisfaction and learning and developing for employees´ in the workplace. Theoretical framework: The theoretical framework used in this essay was inspired by and focused on educational and the health subject area with a aim on happiness and learning. The essays theoretical framework and previous research was inspired by theories and studies related to health promotion, Workplace Health Promotion, job as a health factor, health promotion work, social support, involved leadership, desire and joy of learning processes as well as lifelong learning and positive learning environment. Conclusion: This study illustrates how job satisfaction activates internal forces which are considered more important than external assessment to promote learning and development in the workplace, both in the sense of challenge and the feeling of a good community. / Studien handlar om att förstå hur arbetsplatser kan arbeta hälsopromotivt för att främja, bevara samt öka medarbetares hälsa och välmående i arbetslivet. Syfte: Syftet med studien var att utifrån ett hälsopromotivt perspektiv och med viss förförståelse för vad som bidrar till arbetsglädje studera vad arbetsglädje upplevs vara och om det kan finnas någon relation mellan arbetsglädje samt att lära och utvecklas i arbetslivet. Metod: Genom en kvalitativ intervjustudie genomfördes totalt 8 intervjuer med medarbetare ifrån ett privat företag och en kommunal förvaltning. Utifrån en viss förförståelse för vad som bidrar till arbetsglädje i arbetslivet och med en hermeneutisk utgångspunkt tolkades medarbetares upplevelser kring arbetsglädje samt lärande och utveckling i arbetslivet för att förstå om det däremellan fanns en relation. Resultat: Studiens resultat tyder på att medarbetare upplever arbetsglädje i form av stolthet, nöjdhet och trygghet samt att medarbetare upplever att de lär och utvecklas vid utmaningar och genom erfarenhetsutbyten. Resultatet tyder även på att inre drivkrafter är något som kan förklara en relation mellan arbetsglädje samt att läras och utvecklas inom arbetslivet. Teoretisk referensram: Studiens litteratur fokuserade på pedagogiska och hälsofrämjande ämnesområden med tyngd på glädje och lärande. Litteraturen var inspirerad av teorier och studier rörande hälsopromotion, Workplace Health Promotion, arbetsglädje som en friskfaktor, hälsofrämjande arbeten, socialt stöd, delaktigt ledarskap, lust och glädje för lärande processer samt livslångt lärande och positiv lärande miljö. Slutsats: Studien belyser hur arbetsglädje aktiverar inre drivkrafter vilka anses vara viktigare än yttre uppskattning för att främja lärande och utveckling inom arbetslivet, både genom känslan av utmaning samt känslan av en god gemenskap.

This paper presents the process evaluation of the Community Challenge, a pilot community-based health promotion program targeting high-school students launched by the Austin, TX-based organization, ACTIVE Life. Aspects of the implementation evaluated include fidelity, program delivered, program received, reach, recruitment, and content. Recommendations are made for future implementation of the Community Challenge. Generally, these recommendations include website improvements and structural changes to the program. / text

Syftet med denna kvalitativa studie var att deskriptivt återge skolsköterskors berättelser om sitt hälsofrämjande arbete med tonåringar. Ett strategiskt urval användes och skolsköterskor från Uppsala, Älvkarleby och Gävle kommun deltog i studien. Datainsamling skedde genom 5 semistrukturerade kvalitativa intervjuer. Materialet analyserades med hjälp av en innehållsanalys. Resultatet delades in i fyra kategorier: hälsa, hälsoarbete, utmaningar/begränsningar och skolsköterskans hälsofrämjande arbete. I resultatet framkom att skolsköterskor upplevde tonåringars hälsa som god och att hälsa ett allmänt välbefinnande utifrån sina egna förutsättningar. Skolsköterskorna upplever att tonåringarna mår bra men de som mår dåligt, mår sämre än förut. Det hälsofrämjande arbetet bestod av många delar där hälsosamtalen lade en grund för vilka insatser som kunde behövas vidare. De hälsofrämjande insatser som skolsköterskorna lade fokus på var lite olika från skola till skola. Runt tonåringarna berättade skolsköterskorna att det fanns ett stort skyddsnät bestående av både professionell personal och föräldrar. De berättade också att det kunde vara svårt att nå fram till tonåringar och identifiera de som behövde hjälp i tid. Tid var något som sågs som en bristvara. Slutsatsen i denna studie är att skolsköterskorna inriktar sitt arbete efter tonåringens behov utifrån hälsosamtalen.

Submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree in Technology: Chiropractic at the Durban University of Technology, 2013. / Background: Considering the quadruple burden of disease and chronic shortages of health care professionals in South Africa, the stance of the chiropractic profession on public health (PH) matters has not been established. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the attitudes and perceptions of chiropractors practicing in South Africa on PH, health promotion (HP) and disease prevention (DP). The objectives were to determine demographic profile, lifestyle practices and attitudes and perceptions of practicing chiropractors in South Africa regarding PH agencies, HP and DP. Methods: An IRB approved quantitative survey (electronic and postal) was used to collect data from a total sample of practicing chiropractors in South Africa (meeting inclusion criteria). Follow up email and telephone calls were made to encourage response from participants. After a 17 - week period, returned questionnaires were collected and data analysed. Results: A response rate of 45% was obtained. Of the participants, 51.7% were female, 60.3% practiced in upper – middle income communities and 66.4% perceived themselves as neuro - musculoskeletal specialists. Over 90% of practitioners regularly counselled patients on postural habits, injury prevention and ergonomic risk reduction. Where as 35.1% agreed to counselling patients on STI / HIV prevention, tobacco cessation and related risks (41.4%), alcohol abuse (53.4%) and cancer prevention (56.9%). Regarding evidence – based practice (EBP) and PH agencies, 39.1% could not identify the statistical significance of the p value and 46% were unable to provide examples to journals they used to inform best practice. Similarly, 59% of the participants could not identify PH agencies to refer to for information on smoking cessation / risks or PH agencies to refer patients on HIV (57%), notifiable diseases (59%) and terminal illnesses (45%). Conclusion: The results suggest that chiropractors from this study were proficient on topics of DP, but were reletively less proficient in regards to PH, HP and EBP. It was recommended that further research be done regarding EBP within the profession and that greater emphasis be placed on topics of HP and PH in chiropractic training programmes.

This research focuses on the work of the Urban Aboriginal Community Kitchen Garden Project (the Garden Project). The Garden Project aims to be a culturally appropriate health promotion project with urban Aboriginal people, drawing on traditional Indigenous approaches to health and healing, and rooted in community food work. The project is situated within the context of colonialism, the destruction of traditional foodways, and subsequent increased need for Indigenous people to rely on a dominant food system that is seen as destructive to human and ecological health. The purpose of my research is to describe the Garden Project’s main goals and achievements from the perspective of project leaders, project participants as well as through my own observations and experiences. The research methodology was guided by participatory and community based approaches to research and qualitative methods were employed, focusing primarily on semi-structured interviews with project participants and project leaders. I also participated in and observed the project for two years, from September 2006-September 2008. Data collection and analysis happened through an iterative process of action and reflection. Based on my time with the Garden Project, I suggest that it can be seen simultaneously as a community food security, health promotion, and Indigenous health project. It connects participants with food as a natural product, builds skills around cooking and growing food, and increases knowledge about food system issues. Drawing on the health promotion discourse, it can be seen building community and social support networks, treating the whole person, and empowering participants to take actions around their own health needs. It is rooted in Indigenous approaches to health and healing in the way it promotes individuals’ physical, mental/emotional and spiritual health, the health of the community through cultural revitalization, and the health of the Universe through the opportunity it provides for awareness about ecosystem health. This research project was very site specific. Nevertheless, the findings suggest that food work with urban Indigenous people, carried out in a culturally sensitive manner, may be a powerful leverage point for promoting health with this population. These types of projects can also be vehicles for social change.

Introduction: Adult obesity is a significant public health problem, increasing chronic disease and resulting in health and economic implications. The worksite environment provides a setting for comprehensive Worksite Health Promotion programs that can benefit employees and employers. However, the literature identifies barriers to implementation of WHP programs and achievement of positive outcomes. The purpose of this study was to determine if a DeKalb County Board of Health Employee Wellness Policy that provides work breaks during the workday for employees to engage in wellness activities has resulted in actual use of the break and employee perceived benefits. The study also examined barriers to use of the wellness break. Methods: In collaboration with the DeKalb County Board of Health, a cross-sectional study of 187 employees across eight locations was conducted. The survey instrument included both quantitative and qualitative questions and was administered electronically or in person via group administration. Results: Of survey respondents, 74% knew about the Employee Wellness Policy, 57% understood policy guidelines, and 41% had ever used wellness breaks. Respondents most often reported using wellness breaks for physical activity, most often for walking/jogging. A majority of employees using wellness breaks reported positive outcomes including: increased physical activity (64.4%), weight loss (65.2%), increased productivity (79.5%), improved work relationships (86%), increased work morale (64.4%), and increased overall positive outlook (69.9%). Barriers to utilization included: lack of time, lack of knowledge, lack of encouragement from management, and clinical setting. Management employees were significantly more likely to know about the policy and understand policy guidelines compared to non-management employees. Clinical employees were significantly less likely to ever use wellness breaks and less likely to feel their manager supports the policy. Conclusion: Sampled employees participating in wellness breaks perceive health and work-related benefits; however barriers have prevented some employees from utilizing the breaks. Quantitative and qualitative data may inform wellness policy changes for improved utilization and outcomes. Findings related to self-reported employee outcomes provide some support for a discretionary paid work break policy in the workplace.

Hälsofrämjande arbete har under de senaste aren fatt en allt mer framträdande och viktig roll inom primärvården och har blivit en central del i distriktssköterskornas arbete. Syftet med studien var att belysa distriktssköterskors syn på hälsa och upplevelser av att arbeta hälsofrämjande. Metoden var kvalitativ med en deskriptiv design. Urvalsgrupp var åtta distriktsskoterskor på sex olika vårdcentraler i ett län i mellersta Sverige. Resultatet visade på att halsa ses som en individuell upplevelse som handlar om mer an att "må bra".   Det finns en stark vilja och ett intresse att arbeta hälsofrämjande hos distriktssköterskor.   Det finns dock hinder for genomförandet på organisatorisk respektive individnivå. Ytterligare utbildning efterfrågas liksom ökat tidsutrymme. Hälsosamtal med hälsoformulär i kombination med metoden motiverande samtal, ses som ett bra sätt att nå fram till personer och hjälpa dessa till livsstilsförändring, något som ansågs vara en viktig del av distriktssköterskans arbete. Samarbetet med andra professioner ses som mycket viktigt för det hälsofrämjande arbetet. Konklusionen ar att det finns en vilja och ett intresse att arbeta hälsofrämjande och distriktsskoterskorna kampar for att övervinna de hinder som finns.   Det finns en önskan om ytterligare och uppdaterad kunskap inom ämnet och inställningen till fortsatt utveckling av hälsofrämjande arbete är mycket positiv.

Darbe atlikta teorinė sveikatinimo paslaugas teikiančių specialistų profesinės motyvacijos analizė. Iškelta hipotezė, kad sveikatinimo paslaugas teikiančių specialistų profesinė sėkmė priklauso nuo naujų darbo būdų ir metodų taikymo, bendradarbiavimo su kitais specialistais galimybių.Anketinės apklausos metodu buvo atliktas tyrimas, kurio tikslas – atskleisti sveikatinimo paslaugas teikiančių specialistų profesinės motyvacijos veiklai modeliavimo galimybes ugdymo ir darbo įstaigose. Atlikta statistinė duomenų analizė. / It was hypothesized that professional success of specialists giving wellness services depends on employ of new ways and methods of work, possibilities of collaboration with other specialists. The research was done by questionaire method. The purpose of which to establish motivation modeling for career possibilities in education and work offices of specialists giving wellness services. Also it was done statistical analysis of data.

Childhood obesity is associated with serious physiological and psychological consequences including type 2 diabetes, higher rates of depression and low self-esteem. With the population of overweight and obese youth increasing, appropriate interventions are needed that speak to the issue of motivation to maintain adherence to healthy behavior changes. The current investigation was a randomized controlled trial examining the efficacy of Motivational Interviewing (MI) as an intervention for promoting self-efficacy and weight-loss in a sample of overweight and obese youth. Participants (N = 42) ages 10-18, were randomly assigned to a control (social skills training) or treatment (MI) group. Both groups received individual therapy (~30 minutes/month) in addition to usual care of diet/exercise counseling. Pre and post (at 6 months follow-up) variables included measures of self-efficacy and anthropometrics. Results indicated that while significant between-group differences were not found, individuals in the MI group attended more sessions. Overall, participants in both groups showed significant increases in self-efficacy and a trend of decreased BMI z-scores. Though health benefits from participation in individual therapy may have been accrued, specific benefits attributable to MI were limited. Findings from the current study suggest that more than one type of counseling intervention (i.e., MI and social skills training) may be beneficial when providing integrative treatment for obese youth. / Canadian Institutes of Health and Research (CIHR)

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of combining implementation intentions (II) and regulatory fit in the context of two important health goals: increasing leisure time physical activity and decreasing leisure time sedentary behaviour. Implementation intentions specify exactly how, when, and where a behaviour will occur and can be an effective method of increasing goal enactment. Regulatory fit occurs when a goal or strategy used to achieve the goal matches an individual’s regulatory orientation. University students (N = 180) were randomly assigned to a goal (increase activity/decrease screen time) and an experimental condition (II/non-II). Participants formed a goal to increase their physical activity or decrease their screen time over the following four weeks according to their random assignment. Participants’ commitment to their goal was monitored over the course of the study. The II group also formed a detailed plan regarding how they would accomplish their goal. Regulatory fit was determined based on group assignment and score on the regulatory focus questionnaire. Physical activity and screen time were assessed with self-report questionnaires. Follow-up occurred online four weeks after baseline. Data were analyzed separately by goal type using linear regressions to examine the effects of regulatory fit, experimental condition, and goal commitment on the behaviour variables. The regulatory fit manipulation was not successful. Among those with the physical activity goal, no significant effects emerged for the experimental variables. Among those with the screen time goal and in the fit, II group, stronger goal commitment tended to be associated with increased participation in moderate physical activity, β = .17, t(22) = .94, p = .36. Also, participants who set II for the screen time goal and were committed to this goal tended to report less screen time than participants with lower goal commitment (β = -.40, t(69) = -2.05, p = .05). Findings provide preliminary insight into the effectiveness of II and the importance of goal commitment in interventions aiming to reduce sedentary behaviour. / Thesis (Master, Kinesiology & Health Studies) -- Queen's University, 2010-07-02 11:32:18.716