The national diabetes programme in Finland was carried out from 2000 to 2010, and its targeted implementation project, FIN-D2D, during 2003FIN-D2D, during -2007, in selected areas. One of the programme goals was to raise awareness of diabetes and its risk factors in the whole population. The aim of this study was to examine the changes in overall awareness and the self-reported lifestyle changes among population during the project period in the FIN-D2D area compared to area not participating in

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... FIN-D2D (the control area). Methods Data (n = 10 831) from the 2004-2008 Health behavior and health among the Finnish adult population -postal surveys were used for this investigation. The structured questionnaire included questions on participants sociodemographic background, medical history, health habits, and recent lifestyle changes. Furthermore, awareness of the national diabetes programme was enquired. Results Of the total 10 831 participants aged 45-64 years, 31% (3360/10831) reported that they were aware of the national diabetes prevention programme. In the FIN-D2D area, 25% (347/1384) of men and 48% (797/1674) of women reported that they were aware of the programme. In the control area, the proportions were 20% (702/3551) and 36% (1514/4222), respectively. The overall awareness increased among both genders and in all areas during the project period, but the level of awareness was higher in the FIN-D2D area. Female gender, increasing age and education were associated with the increasing awareness of the programme in both areas. Interestingly, self-reported lifestyle changes were associated with the level of awareness of the programme more often among men than women. Conclusions The awareness of diabetes and its risk factors raised among men and women in both implementation and control areas during the FIN-D2D project period. The activities of the implementation project may at least partly explain the observed differences in lifestyle changes among the population. The results suggest that especially men may benefit from health promotion campaigns and action plans. Key messages The national diabetes prevention programme raised awareness of diabetes and its risk factors in the whole population, especially in the FIN-D2D project area. The actions of the implementation project can at least partly explain the observed differences in lifestyle changes. Especially men may benefit from health promotion campaigns. Women with weight problems asking for help through social networks: a monitoring on quality of life and general health perception questionnaire, preceded by short questions on personal data, anthropometric data and cultural activities. Statistical analysis were performed by test T-Student and ANOVA. Results The average age was 31.7 (AE6.2) and the average value of BMI was 23.4 (AE 7.1); in particular 18% were underweight, 22% normal, 39% overweight and 21% obese. The difference between the average sum of scores in the group who had normal weight and the group who were overweight and obese was statistically significant (p < 0.05). BMI showed a positive correlation with both occurrence and relevance of physical symptoms. A positive correlation of BMI was found with average sum of scores in the first, second and third groups of questions in ORWELL 97 questionnaire. An analysis of the results indicates that the obese group is strongly characterized by a lower QoL; unexpectedly the same outcome was highlighted for the anorexic women. Conclusions The evaluation of QoL and general health perception in women asking for help through social networks appears to be an effective tool to examine the relevance of physical and psycosocial distress and for planning aid groups on the web. Key messages A monitoring on quality of life and general health perception among social network visitors. Overweight and obese subjects: evaluation of quality of life and general health perception. Is the different time evolution (1997)(1998)(1999)(2000)(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006)(2007)(2008) of the obesity prevalence in the three Belgian regions related to lifestyle changes?