Autumn seminar: How obesity shapes lifelong disease risk from early life to aging

Welcome to a full-day seminar organized in collaboration by the Finnish Association of the Study of Obesity (FASO), and the Health Dimensions and Fibrobesity research programmes of the University of Oulu, with special contribution by the FASO Early Career Network (ECN).

Event information

Time

Wed 28.10.2026 09:00 - 16:30

Venue location

Lecture hall K101 (or remotely), Kontinkangas campus (Aapistie 7A, 90220 Oulu)

Location

Kontinkangas

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Registration

Registration is open until 20 October. Use this link to register to the symposium.

Abstract submission

Abstract submission is open for early career researchers (pre-docent level). Three abstracts will be selected for oral presentation, and other selected abstracts will be presented as posters and pitch talks.

Submit your abstract latest on 30 September: Use this link to submit your abstract.

Programme

08:30-08:55 Registration

08:55-09:00 Welcome (organizers)

Early life – Origins of obesity and lifelong disease risk

09:00-09:20 Epigenetics links obesity to aging: Miina Ollikainen, University of Helsinki
09:20-09:40 Early-life exposures, microbiome and obesity: Marika Paalanne, University of Oulu
09:40-10:00 From body-weight trajectories to multimorbidity: Sylvain Sebert, University of Oulu
10:00-10:15 Abstract talk 1
10:15-10:30 Poster pitches

10:30-11:15 Coffee & posters

11:15-11:30 Abstract talk 2
11:30-12:00 Patient story

12:00-13:15 Lunch (at own cost) & Annual autumn meeting of FASO (meeting room Carpi, for members)

Childhood and adolescence – When does disease risk begin and how to prevent?

13:15-13:45 From childhood adiposity to cardiometabolic disease: When does risk begin?: Andrew Agbaje, University of Eastern Finland
13:45-14:05 Prevention of obesity and metabolic syndrome: Could reduced daily sitting be part of the solution? Ilkka Heinonen, University of Oulu
14:05-14:20 Abstract talk 3

14:20-15:00 Coffee & posters

Female reproductive transitions – Windows of metabolic vulnerability

15:00-15:20 Female reproductive health and lifelong metabolic risk: Terhi Piltonen, University of Oulu
15:20-15:40 Pregnancy as a window into a woman's metabolic health: Elina Keikkala, University of Oulu
15:40-16:00 Menopause as a metabolic turning point: Eija Laakkonen, University of Jyväskylä
16:00-16:15 ECN introduction talk
16:15-16:30 FASO doctoral thesis award presentation 2025
16:30-16:40 Final conclusions (organizers) and the best poster and talk awards

Organizing committee:

Eija Pirinen (Chair)
Riikka Arffman
Tanvir Rahman
Ritva Saastamoinen
Essi Erkkilä
Terhi Suominen

Created 30.6.2026 | Updated 4.9.2026