All Industries

The main disease threats include:

Communicable diseases

• HIV/AIDS
• Tuberculosis
• Malaria
• Dengue, hepatitis and typhoid are also prevalent

Noncommunicable diseases

• Cardiovascular diseases
• Chronic respiratory diseases
• Nutrition related illness such as diabetes
• Cancer
• Sickle cell disease
• Mental and neurological disorders
• Road traffic injuries

Objective. To establish and implement corporate wellness programs for the workplace that ultimately help increase productivity, decrease absenteeism and enhance the overall well being of the organisational workforce.

Background. Every successful company should be looking for ways to increase productivity, enhance information retention, boost employee morale, lower health care costs and stay ahead of competition. No matter how big your workforce, a single healthy employee working at maximum potential is an invaluable asset. Regular screenings, nutrition education, together with stress management and exercise, are undoubtedly the cornerstones of optimum health.

Health screenings done regularly help identify problem areas and help prevent chronic illness and improve health and quality of life.

TB screenings are also vital for prevention of disease spread.

Without nutritional sustenance, a person cannot function at full capacity, neither mentally, physically or emotionally. Appropriate nutrition education can help maintain optimal energy levels, combat stress symptoms, boost the immune system and prevent both infectious diseases and chronic diseases of lifestyle.

Over the past 30 years at least a 100 studies has been published in medical literature documenting the cost-effective benefits of long term constructive lifestyle changes to sustain health and longevity. A staggering 50% of Africans are overweight or obese and up to 1 in 3 will suffer heart disease or cancer. Given this and the high rates of HIV infection, almost all Africans could benefit from health interventions.

Benefits. A successful wellness programme leads to better mental and physical health and increased morale among employees, which leads to:

• Increased productivity
• Decreased absenteeism
• A happier and healthier workforce

Co-ordinator credentials

All the healthcare providers are registered with the specific health councils to which they are affiliated.

The healthcare providers are based in the areas where the testing is taking place so no accommodation costs or travel costs are incurred

The programmes

Assessments

Some companies may wish to know the health and nutritional status of their workforce. An assessment package is available, where the health status will be evaluated by means of HRA (HIV, glucose, cholesterol, BP and BMI) and VCT (voluntary HIV testing and counselling), risk factor screening, nutrition and fitness questionnaires and screenings, and stress questionnaires.

The management will be provided with a report and from there an appropriate intervention package could be devised.

Interventions

Workshops

The workshop based intervention programme is a series of workshops, which can be done separately, or as a series. Workshops can range from 60 minute talks to full day workshops. Depending on a company’s unique needs, we are very flexible in designing workshops/programmes to suite you.

Some examples of our most popular workshops include:

Chronic diseases of lifestyle

Many chronic illnesses such as diabetes, BP, cholesterol and obesity can be prevented and improved by lifestyle such as changes to diet and exercise.

Part 1: Heart disease

This covers BP and cholesterol – causes both genetic and lifestyle related. It will discuss what normal ranges are, what levels require immediate interventions and what levels will benefit from lifestyle and dietary changes.

Foods that lead to heart disease will be mentioned as well as foods and vitamins that can help prevent and decrease BP and cholesterol.

Part 2: Glucose and diabetes

This covers glucose and diabetes – causes both genetic and lifestyle related. It will discuss what normal ranges are, what levels require immediate interventions and what levels will benefit from lifestyle and dietary changes.

It will also explain the difference between insulin resistance and diabetes as well as the difference between Type I and type II diabetes

Foods that lead to diabetes will be mentioned as well as diets and vitamins that can help prevent insulin resistance and diabetes

Part 3: Obesity

Obesity is becoming an epidemic in both developed and developing countries

This section will teach people how to calculate their BMI and what  the correct ranges are.

We will then discuss the health risks of being overweight and diets to help lose weight

HIV and TB

This workshop is very popular. It covers:

• What is HIV and AIDS
• What is TB
• How are they transmitted
• Prevention
• Treatment and especially the importance of DOTS therapy for TB
• The message that HIV is not a death sentence and if managed correctly one can have a normal healthy life which will include being able to have healthy children.

Hygiene and preventing the spread of disease

This workshop teaches staff about the importance of personal hygiene and hand washing

It discusses hygiene in the home and in the workplace

It teaches correct hand washing techniques and also covers the spread of flu

Malaria

Malaria is an epidemic in Africa and responsible for thousands of deaths each year.

This workshop teaches staff how to prevent being bitten.

It covers in detail the signs and symptoms, and stresses the importance of receiving medical assistance immediately if any of these symptoms are present.

It covers treatment options and side-effects.

Eating for sustained energy: What to eat and when to eat it in order to boost your metabolism and keep you fuelled all day long.

By eating the right type of carbohydrates, at appropriate times of the day, and combining them with proteins and fats in the correct ratios, energy levels become more balanced throughout the day. The all too familiar afternoon energy slump is eliminated and workers feel sustained and energised all day.

Part 1: The insulin story: the key to balanced blood sugar
Part 2: The glycaemic index: eating the right carbs for constant energy

Part 3: Herbs and supplements for energy: what’s hot and what’s not

Part 4: 3 day energy meal plan including smart snacks
Part 5: Questions and answers

Boosting Brainpower: optimum nutrition for the mind

A new and expanding field of nutrition is highlighting the very beneficial effects of certain foods and nutrients in boosting brainpower by enhancing information retention and concentration, combating attention deficit disorder and even increasing IQ.

• Part 1: The basics of brain nutrition
• Part 2: Brain sapping foods and stimulants to stay away from
• Part 3: Beating attention deficit with foods and nutrients
• Part 4: Improving proving memory retention with foods and nutrients
• Part 5: Boosting intelligence with foods and nutrients
• Part 6: Beating fatigue, anxiety and depression with foods
• Part 7: Questions and answers

Boosting immunity

Nutrients are essential to the proper functioning of our immune systems and without balanced nutrition, they would shut down. Certain foods help keep immunity up, making us less susceptible to colds, flu, other infections and allergies.

• Part 1: Immunity defined
• Part 2: The immune system: what’s strengthens it, what weakens it
• Part 3: Factors that have a positive effect on immunity
• Part 4: Factors that have a negative effect on immunity
• Part 5: Immune boosting tips
• Part 6: Immune boosting meal plan
• Part 7: Questions and Answers

Preventing diseases of lifestyle

There is no doubt that inappropriate nutrition is a huge risk factor for the so-called diseases of lifestyle, including heart disease, hypertension, osteoporosis, arthritis and cancer. Evidence has shown time and time again that major diseases are preventable by following a healthy diet and lifestyle.

• Part 1: What is a disease of lifestyle? Statistics on prevalence of diabetes, HD, hypertension and osteoporosis in South Africa
• Part 2: Know your risk: Risk factor assessment for major diseases in the form of checklists
• Part 3: Preventative measures (nutritional and non-nutritional) for each condition
• Part 4: Questions and answers

Healthy weight loss

Obesity is the number one risk factor for many of the major diseases of lifestyle. Every kilogram lost counts towards a lower level of morbidity and also towards increased energy and enthusiasm. This workshop helps debunk some of the diet myths and gives healthy, sensible weight loss advice.

• Part 1: Fighting Fat- the Causes of Obesity
• Part 2: Big Fat Lies: Debunking the Diet Myths
• Part 3: Slimming solutions: Nutritional Aspects
• Part 4: Slimming solutions: The Role of Exercise
• Part 5: Slimming solutions: The Role of Weight Loss Supplements
• Part 6: Slimming solutions: Psychological and Emotional Aspects
• Part 7: Questions and answers

Combating stress and the anti-stress nutrition plan

Stress invariably gives rise to all sorts of health problems, including nutritional ones, and in turn bad nutrition can hinder the body’s ability to cope with stress. A well-balanced, nutritious diet helps offset the negative effects of stress on the body and helps us build the necessary resources to cope with stress.

Part 1: Introduction to stress and its effects on the body
Part 2: Cortisol and its detrimental effects
Part 3: Stress management through nutrition
Part 4: Other stress management techniques (stretching, breathing exercises, aromatherapy etc)

Part 5: Questions and answers

Moving Into Fitness

For optimum wellness, the role of exercise cannot be overlooked. This workshop details the advantages of exercise and gives lots of tips, tricks and fun ways to get fit and flexible.

• Part 1: Exercise Physiology
• Part 2: The Advantages of Regular Exercise
• Part 3: How much is enough?
• Part 4: Using the gym wisely
• Part 5: Novel ways to keep fit
• Part 6: Incidental exercise
• Part 7: Questions and Answers

How to pack a healthy lunch box

This workshop deals with what one should bring to work for meal times. Taking variety, storage facilities and health aspects into consideration.

Smoothie demonstrations

We offer a fabulous demonstration and tasting for company’s on the benefits and ease of making smoothies. This has always been a firm favourite amongst our corporate clients.

E-mail based Follow up

Any company may wish to receive continued motivation and support for their workers. A wellness email newsletter and an e-mail based service will be offered at a monthly retainer fee proportional to the size of the workforce involved. From information obtained through the assessments, newsletters can be individualised depending on the need of the specific person

Less technical workshops

Less technical workshops are available for manual workers, like factory staff, cleaning staff and others who may benefit from more simplified information. Topics covered include boosting immunity, HIV, preventing obesity and recognising and preventing diseases of lifestyle.

Executive packages

More personalised packages can be tailored for executives and those in management positions. Small group, interactive workshops and on site one-on-one nutritional assessments and counselling are available to help top executives meet their full potential.

Canteen trouble shooting

This service offers the opportunity for a revolutionary canteen makeover. Whether you want to introduce some healthy alternatives, cater for special dietary needs, introduce a health or salad bar or want to revamp the entire menu, we can help design strategies to help you on your way to a healthier canteen.

Cost structure

Costs are dependant on country and services required.