The Fin-HIT sample collection now available at THL Biobank
We are happy to announce that a new research cohort of adolescents, the Finnish Health in Teens study (Fin-HIT), is now available for biobank research through THL Biobank.
Fin-HIT is a study aiming to understand and monitor long-term changes in body size from adolescence to adulthood. To explore this topic, children aged 9-12 years along with their parents have been recruited for the study during 2011-2014, and follow-ups are performed at few years’ intervals. To understand how genetics and different lifestyle factors affect weight development during early adolescence and adulthood, saliva samples were collected, and information obtained through questionnaires about lifestyle factors such as eating habits, use of antibiotics, physical activity, screen time, self-esteem, and body-image. Weight related information collected from participants include weight, weight gain and weight-related health outcomes during early adolescence and adulthood. Saliva samples were collected from the children’s parents as well, along with lifestyle information via questionnaires. The ongoing study is conducted by the Folkhälsan Research Center, Helsinki, Finland.
Read more about Fin-HIT cohort on Follhälsan website
Biobank consents are actively collected from participants as they reach adulthood and from their parents. Currently biobank consent has been obtained from approximately 5000 sample donors, 2613 children and 2373 parents. The FinHit DNA samples are being genotyped as part of the FinnGen project, and the genotypes will be made available for research once they are returned to the biobank.
Read more about FinnGen Study
Data that is currently available for research through THL Biobank:
- Children at baseline: eating habits (including information on early childhood breast/bottle feeding), physical activity, height, weight and waist circumference, screen time, and information on puberty.
- Parents: health-related information, smoking status, alcohol consumption, height, weight, waist circumference, and screen time.
Because the portion of young sample donors in THL Biobank is low, the addition of the Fin-HIT collection to THL Biobank opens exciting new research opportunities.
Additional information on Fin-HIT Study
Read more from published cohort profile of the Finn-HIT Study
More information about Fin-HIT cohort available for biobank research in THL Biobank
