On 15 April, the research group Fin-HIT celebrated its 10th anniversary with a full-day seminar that went under the theme "The cornerstones of a healthy weight" (fin. Terveen painon pilarit). The online seminar drew a record-breaking audience of over 300 spectators and about 600 pre-registered attendees, and around 2,000 viewed the seminar recording afterwards.
During the Fin-HIT study's 10 years, research has progressed by leaps and bounds. The aim is to investigate how genetic factors and lifestyle affect the health of children and young people, now and in the future. In the first instance, factors that are linked to weight development and previously unknown causal relationships are examined. The survey covers, among other things, diet, exercise, screen time and sleep. The research material also makes it possible to study diseases such as type-2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
– With the help of national register data, we have comprehensive information about the participants' health. Thus, the materials of the Fin-HIT study able to investigate many non-communicable diseases such as depression, anxiety, allergies and asthma, says Heli Viljakainen, principal investigator and group leader of Fin-HIT.
The 10-year seminar “The cornerstones of healthy weight” was arranged in collaboration with the Finnish Association for the Study of Obesity (FASO) and revolved around the theme of obesity; both at the societal and individual level. The seminar offered interesting presentations on current topics of obesity research among children. The event also drew a record-breaking audience of over 300 people and around 2000 have seen the recording of the seminar afterwards.
– Digitization has led to major societal changes which also challenges young people's health in many ways. Fin-HIT contributes to the tackling of obesity with basic research. We are very pleased to offer research-based results, tools and ideas that can be used in health promotion work, says Viljakainen.
– The collaboration with the Obesity Researchers has also been very helpful and made it possible for us to find the right target group for this event. So, a big thank you to them for the great cooperation, Viljakainen concludes.
You can read more about Fin-HIT here.
Main takeaways from the seminar:
|
Simon Granroth, Science Communicator