Illustrating the process of gender and culturally sensitive health promotion of women through Fit4Life program

Vertiö, Kati and Mulepati, Traijila. Illustrating the process of gender and culturally sensitive health promotion of women through Fit4Life program. 36 pages. 2 appendices. Language: English. Spring 2018. Diaconia University of Applied Sciences. Degree Program in Social Services and Community Development. Degree: Bachelor of Social Services (AMK). This is a development-oriented thesis that aimed to illustrate the holistic process of a participant in Fit4Life health promotion program through a sample of a model. Fit4Life promotes the overall health and well-being of multicultural women in Finland and it encourages to lead a healthy lifestyle by using sports as a tool. It addresses a variety of important aspects of health such as physical activity, nutrition, mental well-being and social participation in its activities. This thesis consists of following parts: the literature review and the description of the process of creating a sample model of the participant’s process in Fit4Life program. The literature review discourses the key concepts of holistic health promotion as well as the gender sensitive and culturally sensitive approaches in health promotion work. Also, the working life partner and the previous research of Fit4Life are presented in the thesis. The model (appendix 2) presents the different stages and actions connected to the experiences of the participant. It helps to understand the participant’s experience more deeply and indicates the desired and undesired scenarios in the end of the process. It can be utilized as a tool by organizations, professionals and students for developing effective procedures and methods in health promotion work. The thesis addresses that aspects and impacts of gender and culturally sensitive work approach should be researched and recognized better for the health promotion of women in Finland from decision-making level to the daily work of professionals. The model that was created in this thesis shows that cultural background and gender have an impact on the overall process of improving one’s health and gender and culturally sensitive approach in health promotion work is essential. Over time, gender and culturally sensitive work approach will influence positively in saving the costs of public health care through increased physical activity and awareness of healthy lifestyle. Keywords: Health promotion, gender-sensitivity, cultural sensitivity, model, process, physical activit