International Quit and Win 1996: comparative evaluation study in China and Finland.

OBJECTIVES: To compare background and process variables, as well as follow up status, of the participants in the International Quit and Win '96 contests of China and Finland, and analyse factors contributing to sustained maintenance. DESIGN: A standardised 12 month follow up was conducted in both countries with random samples of participants. The sample sizes were 3119 in China and 1448 in Finland, with response rates of 91.2% and 65.2%, respectively. INTERVENTIONS: The International Quit and Win '96 contest was the second coordinated, multinational smoking cessation campaign targeted at adult daily smokers. Altogether 25 countries participated, including China with 15 000 and Finland with 6000 smokers registered. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Conservative (considering all non-respondents relapsed) and non-conservative (based on respondents only) estimates were calculated for one month abstinence, 12 month continuous abstinence, and point abstinence at the time point of follow up. RESULTS: Great differences were found in the background and process variables, as well as in the outcome measures. At one year follow up, the conservative continuous abstinence rates show that the Chinese participants maintained their abstinence better (38%) compared to the Finnish ones (12%). In China women reached higher abstinence rate (50%) than men (36%), whereas in Finland men achieved a better result (14%) than women (9%). CONCLUSIONS: The Quit and Win contest is a mass smoking cessation method feasible in countries showing great variance in smoking habits and rates. However, in countries with different stages of anti-smoking development, such as China and Finland, different practical implementation strategies may be needed.

National TV smoking cessation program and contest in Finland.

BACKGROUND: In the fall of 1986 the North Karelia Project in cooperation with Finnish TV 2 arranged an eight-part nationwide smoking cessation TV program. The Project, also arranged a smoking cessation contest coinciding with the TV program in cooperation with four major voluntary public health organizations and the national health service. The TV program featured two studio groups of local volunteers: one from Turku (southwestern Finland) and the other from North Karelia, where there was more intensive community support for the activity. RESULTS: Based on a national survey of a representative population sample, the reported viewing rates (at least one part) of the working-age population (15-64 years, smokers and nonsmokers) were 64% in North Karelia, 45% in Turku, and 46% nationally (P less than 0.001). Among smokers who had watched at least one session of the TV program, 7.7% reported to have tried to quit smoking in North Karelia, 4.1% in Turku, and 7.5% nationally. Altogether, 16,089 smokers participated in the contest; again the highest participation rate was in North Karelia. The 6-month success rate among the smokers who participated in the contest was 22% in North Karelia, 18% in Turku, and 17% nationally (P less than 0.05). Men were more likely to succeed in quitting: among men the 6-month success rate was 22% and among women 15% (P less than 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The results and experiences indicate high viewing and participation and a beneficial cost-effect ratio. They also stress the importance of community support activities in enhancing the effects of a media-based health promotion program.

Regulation of energy economy in raccoon dogs and blue foxes: a process of dynamic interactions.

1. Seasonal regulation of energy economy was studied in farm-raised blue foxes (Alopex lagopus) and raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides; Gray, 1834). 2. Both species exhibited marked seasonal changes in body weight, body energy content, food intake and locomotor activity. Seasonal changes in food efficiency were also evident. 3. The results emphasize the important role of both energy intake and energy expenditure in the regulation process. 4. It can be concluded that regulation of seasonal energy balance is a dynamic process with various interactions between different factors.

Relationship between seasonal energy economy and thyroid activity in farm-raised raccoon dogs.

1. The levels of thyroid hormones (T3, T4), total lipids and urea in blood serum of adult farmed raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides Gray 1834) were monitored year-round, and compared with seasonal changes in body weight and feed consumption during intense, maintenance and restricted fasting feeding. 2. Thyroid hormone levels tended to be low during winter whereas during the rest of the year no marked seasonal differences were observed. That thyroid hormone levels were influenced by altering feed intake suggests the hypothesis that the winter hypothyroidism observed was a result of a decreased level of voluntary feed intake. 3. The colder the temperature was during winter, the less the animals consumed the feed supplied. 4. Neither season nor feed intake level affected serum levels of total lipids or urea. 5. Marked seasonal changes in body weight of the animals were found. From maximum values occurring in early winter their body weight generally dropped about 30% reaching the minimum values in mid-summer. This marked seasonal change was mainly the result of changes in subcutaneous fat reserves.

Seasonal changes in energy economy of farmed polecat as evaluated by body weight, food intake and behavioural strategy.

An analysis of seasonal changes in energy budget of the farmed polecat (Mustela putorius) was performed in subarctic climate. Cyclical variations were found in the body weight of male polecats from maximum values in February (2.1 kg) to minimum values in June-July (1.5 kg). There were only minor seasonal changes in the body weight of females. There was a direct relationship between body weight and voluntary energy intake on one hand (r = 0.89) and an inverse relationship between body weight and locomotor activity (r = -0.88) on the other hand. Energy intake was significantly (p less than 0.05) higher during winter (224 kcal/animal/day) than during summer (142 kcal/animal/day). Total time spent outside the nest was at its maximum during the winter months (60 min/day). The results suggest that in male polecats, changes in absolute food intake induce seasonal changes in body weight. Seasonal changes in locomotor activity seem to be less important in energy balance regulation. The fact that the body weight of females showed only minor seasonal variation supports the role of sexual hormones in the control of the body weight.