title: Needs, interests, and attitudes of university faculty for a wellness program.
abstract: During the 1986-1987 academic year, 484 full-time faculty members at Oklahoma State University responded to a health habits questionnaire. The purpose of this study was to assess the needs, interests, and attitudes of faculty for a wellness program. Behaviors were assessed in the following categories: cigarette smoking, alcohol/drugs, eating habits, exercise/fitness, stress management, and safety. Only 100 (20.6%) of the total indicated that they were currently smokers. Neither the alcohol/drugs nor the safety categories appeared to be problem areas, with no significance noted. Categories indicating a need for improvement were exercise/fitness, eating habits, and stress management. Faculty members were interested in and willing to participate in a wellness program. Preferred areas of interest in rank order were (1) exercise/fitness, (2) stress management, and (3) nutrition. Results of this study indicate that faculty in a major university are interested in wellness and will participate in a wellness program. Need and interest suggest that an exercise/fitness program should be instituted first, with stress management and nutrition components added as funds become available. A successful wellness program in a university setting has implications for happier, more productive employees, reduced absenteeism, and lower health insurance premiums.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food, Nutrition, and Institution Administration, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater.
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Eckhart
authors.forename: L L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Ebro
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Claypool
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005178:Faculty; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006184:Habits; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009825:Oklahoma; D010809:Physical Fitness; D012449:Safety; D012907:Smoking; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000517:prevention & control; D014495:Universities