| Health promotion programs in Canadian workplaces vary greatly in sophistication and sense of purpose. Overall, workplace health promotion has evolved from a focus on physical fitness to one with a broad base, incorporating a holistic approach to the well-being of workers.;The purpose of this study was to investigate the growth and changes of worksite physical activity and health promotion programs and opportunities in Alberta, and to compare and contrast the 1992 status of these programs and opportunities available in the same group of companies in 1986.;Data was collected by sending surveys to the human resources manager in existing companies in Alberta who responded to the "Employee Fitness and Leisure Lifestyle Opportunities in the Alberta Business Community" survey in 1986 (Marshall, Quinney & Glassford, 1987). A total of 198 questionnaires were received from the 396 companies eligible for the longitudinal survey. The population consisted of companies of all sizes, and from four industry groups: Trade and Commerce, Finance and Service, Industry and Manufacturing, and Petroleum-based industries.;Based on this research, it is evident that workplace physical activity and health promotion programs are not stagnant in this province. Despite decreases in individual sport, and fitness activities, the increases in team sport programming, and health education and lifestyle programming were strong. Companies without programs continue to show interest in starting programs. Companies continue to state that services and resources would be helpful, and the gaps between large and small companies seem to be lessening due to increasing involvement by small organizations. As awareness of the benefits of workplace physical activity and health promotion programs increase, there will continue to be growth in this field, which, using the existing data base, can be tracked by future research. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)... |
