Katja Pahkala
 Professor, Head of Paavo Nurmi Centre

Centre for Population Health Research, Paavo Nurmi Centre

katpah@utu.fi

+358 40 578 6122

Kiinamyllynkatu 10

Turku

Areas of expertise
Cardiovascular health, prevention, childhood, physical activity, diet, epidemiology, longitudinal studies

Biography

I have devoted my research career to examining early life determinants of cardiometabolic health with the ultimate aim to improve primordial prevention of cardiometabolic diseases.



Research

I am a long-standing senior researcher and the vice director of the Research Centre of Applied and Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine (CAPC), and a member of the executive committee of the Centre for Population Health Research. I am also the vice principal investigator of the globally unique atherosclerosis prevention trial, the STRIP study (Special Turku Coronary Risk Factor Intervention Project), which commenced in 1989 and has extensively studied the 1062 participants since age 7 months to 26 years with repeated assessment of diet, lifestyle and versatile cardiometabolic health markers. I am also an active member of the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study, started in the late 1970´s. The study involves originally 3596 participants from different parts of Finland. As highlights of my career, in 2014 I received the Academy of Finland’s Postdoctoral Researcher grant, and in 2019 I was invited to receive A/Professorship in Preventive Medicine (tenure track), and I was also awarded the Academy of Finland’s Research Fellowship. In 2023, I achieved full-Professorship in Preventive Medicine. In 2024, I began as a Head of the Paavo Nurmi Centre, a centre of expertise in sports & exercise medicine.



Teaching

I have supervised 15 undergraduate studies and six doctoral studies. Currently I supervise six doctoral students and one undergraduate student.



Publications
  
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  • Association of adiponectin with adolescent cardiovascular health in a dietary intervention study  (2015)  
    • Journal of Pediatrics
     Jaakkola J, Pahkala K, Viitala M, Rönnemaa T, Viikari J, Niinikoski H, Lagström H, Jula A, Simell O, Raitakari O.
    (    A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal)


  • Childhood 25-OH Vitamin D Levels and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Adulthood: The Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study  (2015)  
    • Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
     Juonala M, Voipio A, Pahkala K, Viikari JSA, Mikkila V, Kahonen M, Hutri-Kahonen N, Jula A, Burgner D, Sabin MA, Marniemi J, Loo BM, Laitinen T, Jokinen E, Taittonen L, Magnussen CG, Raitakari OT
    (    A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal)


  •   (2015)  
    • CirculationJournal of the American Heart Association
     Pulkki-Raback L, Elovainio M, Hakulinen C, Lipsanen J, Hintsanen M, Jokela M, Kubzansky LD, Hintsa T, Serlachius A, Laitinen T, Pahkala K, Mikkila V, Nevalainen J, Hutri-Kahonen N, Juonala M, Viikari J, Raitakari OT, Keltikangas-Jarvinen L
    (    A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal)


  • Determinants of serum 25(OH)D concentration in young and middle-aged adults. The Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study  (2015)  
    • Annals of Medicine
     Atte J. W. Voipio, Katja A. Pahkala, Jorma S. A. Viikari, Vera Mikkilä, Costan G. Magnussen, Nina Hutri-Kähönen, Mika Kähönen, Terho Lehtimäki, Satu Männistö, Britt-Marie Loo, Antti Jula, Jukka Marniemi, Markus Juonala, Olli T. Raitakari
    (    A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal)


  • Distensibility of the Aorta and Carotid Artery and Left Ventricular Mass From Childhood to Early Adulthood.2015
    • HypertensionPLoS ONE
     Hanna Mikola, Katja Pahkala, Tapani Rönnemaa, Jorma S.A. Viikari, Harri Niinikoski, Eero Jokinen, Pia Salo, Olli Simell, Markus Juonala, Olli T. Raitakari
    (    A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal)


  • High Lipoprotein(a) Concentrations Are Associated with Impaired Endothelial Function in Children  (2015)  
    • Journal of Pediatrics
     Lapinleimu J, Raitakari OT, Lapinleimu H, Pahkala K, Ronnemaa T, Simell OG, Viikari JSA
    (    A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal)


  • Lifetime measures of ideal cardiovascular health and their association with subclinical atherosclerosis: The Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study  (2015)  
    • International Journal of Cardiology
     Laitinen TT, Pahkala K, Magnussen CG, Oikonen M, Viikari JSA, Sabin MA, Daniels SR, Heinonen OJ, Taittonen L, Hartiala O, Mikkila V, Hutri-Kahonen N, Laitinen T, Kahonen M, Raitakari OT, Juonala M
    (    A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal)


  • Metabolic Syndrome From Adolescence to Early Adulthood Effect of Infancy-Onset Dietary Counseling of Low Saturated Fat: The Special Turku Coronary Risk Factor Intervention Project (STRIP)  (2015)  
    • Circulation
     Nupponen M, Pahkala K, Juonala M, Magnussen CG, Niinikoski H, Ronnemaa T, Viikari JSA, Saarinen M, Lagstrom H, Jula A, Simell O, Raitakari OT
    (    A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal)


  • Psychological wellbeing in 20-year-old adults receiving repeated lifestyle counselling since infancy  (2015)  
    • Acta Paediatrica
     Kaseva K, Pulkki-Raback L, Elovainio M, Pahkala K, Keltikangas-Jarvinen L, Hintsanen M, Hakulinen C, Lagstrom H, Jula A, Niinikoski H, Ronnemaa T, Viikari J, Simell O, Raitakari O
    (    A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal)


  • Television viewing and fatty liver in early midlife. The Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study  (2015)  
    • Annals of MedicineDuodecim
     Helajarvi H, Pahkala K, Heinonen OJ, Juonala M, Oikonen M, Tammelin T, Hutri-Kahonen N, Lehtimaki T, Mikkila V, Viikari J, Raitakari OT
    (    A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal)


  •   (2015)  
    • Journal of PediatricsCurrent Cardiovascular Risk Reports
     Skilton MR, Pahkala K, Viikari JSA, Ronnemaa T, Simell O, Jula A, Niinikoski H, Celermajer DS, Raitakari OT
    (    A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal)


  • TV Viewing and cognitive performance in early midlife. The cardiovascular risk in young Finns study.  (2015)  
    • Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
     Helajärvi Harri, Rovio Suvi, Pahkala Katja, Heinonen Olli J, Tammelin Tuija, Viikari Jorma, Raitakari Olli T
    (    Other publication)


  • Association of physical activity in childhood and early adulthood with carotid artery elasticity 21 years later: the cardiovascular risk in Young Finns Study.  (2014)  
       Pälve KS, Pahkala K, Magnussen CG, Koivistoinen T, Juonala M, Kähönen M, Lehtimäki T, Rönnemaa T, Viikari JS, Raitakari OT
      (      A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal)


    • Exploring Causality between TV Viewing and Weight Change in Young and Middle-Aged Adults. The Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study  (2014)  
         Helajarvi H, Rosenstrom T, Pahkala K, Kahonen M, Lehtimaki T, Heinonen OJ, Oikonen M, Tammelin T, Viikari JSA, Raitakari OT
        (        A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal)


      • Genome-wide association study of sexual maturation in males and females highlights a role for body mass and menarche loci in male puberty  (2014)  
        • Human Molecular Genetics
         Cousminer DL, Stergiakouli E, Berry DJ, Ang W, Groen-Blokhuis MM, Korner A, Siitonen N, Ntalla I, Marinelli M, Perry JRB, Kettunen J, Jansen R, Surakka I, Timpson NJ, Ring S, Mcmahon G, Power C, Wang C, Kahonen M, Viikari J, Lehtimaki T, Middeldorp CM, Pol HEH, Neef M, Weise S, Pahkala K, Niinikoski H, Zeggini E, Panoutsopoulou K, Bustamante M, Penninx BWJH, Murabito J, Torrent M, Dedoussis GV, Kiess W, Boomsma DI, Pennell CE, Raitakari OT, Hypponen E, Smith GD, Ripatti S, McCarthy MI, Widen E
        (        A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal)


      • Interactions between genetic variants and dietary lipid composition: effects on circulating LDL cholesterol in children.  (2014)  
        • American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
         Ahola-Olli AV, Pitkänen N, Kettunen J, Oikonen MK, Mikkilä V, Lehtimäki T, Kähönen M, Pahkala K, Niinikoski H, Kangas AJ, Soininen P, Ala-Korpela M, Viikari JS, Rönnemaa T, Simell O, Raitakari OT
        (        A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal)


      • Parent-of-origin-specific allelic associations among 106 genomic loci for age at menarche  (2014)  
        • Nature
         Perry JR, Day F, Elks CE, Sulem P, Thompson DJ, Ferreira T, He C, Chasman DI, Esko T, Thorleifsson G, Albrecht E, Ang WQ, Corre T, Cousminer DL, Feenstra B, Franceschini N, Ganna A, Johnson AD, Kjellqvist S, Lunetta KL, McMahon G, Nolte IM, Paternoster L, Porcu E, Smith AV, Stolk L, Teumer A, Tšernikova N, Tikkanen E, Ulivi S, Wagner EK, Amin N, Bierut LJ, Byrne EM, Hottenga JJ, Koller DL, Mangino M, Pers TH, Yerges-Armstrong LM, Hua Zhao J, Andrulis IL, Anton-Culver H, Atsma F, Bandinelli S, Beckmann MW, Benitez J, Blomqvist C, Bojesen SE, Bolla MK, Bonanni B, Brauch H, Brenner H, Buring JE, Chang-Claude J, Chanock S, Chen J, Chenevix-Trench G, Collée JM, Couch FJ, Couper D, Coviello AD, Cox A, Czene K, D'adamo AP, Davey Smith G, De Vivo I, Demerath EW, Dennis J, Devilee P, Dieffenbach AK, Dunning AM, Eiriksdottir G, Eriksson JG, Fasching PA, Ferrucci L, Flesch-Janys D, Flyger H, Foroud T, Franke L, Garcia ME, García-Closas M, Geller F, de Geus EE, Giles GG, Gudbjartsson DF, Gudnason V, Guénel P, Guo S, Hall P, Hamann U, Haring R, Hartman CA, Heath AC, Hofman A, Hooning MJ, Hopper JL, Hu FB, Hunter DJ, Karasik D, Kiel DP, Knight JA, Kosma VM, Kutalik Z, Lai S, Lambrechts D, Lindblom A, Mägi R, Magnusson PK, Mannermaa A, Martin NG, Masson G, McArdle PF, McArdle WL, Melbye M, Michailidou K, Mihailov E, Milani L, Milne RL, Nevanlinna H, Neven P, Nohr EA, Oldehinkel AJ, Oostra BA, Palotie A, Peacock M, Pedersen NL, Peterlongo P, Peto J, Pharoah PD, Postma DS, Pouta A, Pylkäs K, Radice P, Ring S, Rivadeneira F, Robino A, Rose LM, Rudolph A, Salomaa V, Sanna S, Schlessinger D, Schmidt MK, Southey MC, Sovio U, Stampfer MJ, Stöckl D, Storniolo AM, Timpson NJ, Tyrer J, Visser JA, Vollenweider P, Völzke H, Waeber G, Waldenberger M, Wallaschofski H, Wang Q, Willemsen G, Winqvist R, Wolffenbuttel BH, Wright MJ; Australian Ovarian Cancer Study; GENICA Network; kConFab; LifeLines Cohort Study; InterAct Consortium; Early Growth Genetics (EGG) Consortium, Boomsma DI, Econs MJ, Khaw KT, Loos RJ, McCarthy MI, Montgomery GW, Rice JP, Streeten EA, Thorsteinsdottir U, van Duijn CM, Alizadeh BZ, Bergmann S, Boerwinkle E, Boyd HA, Crisponi L, Gasparini P, Gieger C, Harris TB, Ingelsson E, Järvelin MR, Kraft P, Lawlor D, Metspalu A, Pennell CE, Ridker PM, Snieder H, Sørensen TI, Spector TD, Strachan DP, Uitterlinden AG, Wareham NJ, Widen E, Zygmunt M, Murray A, Easton DF, Stefansson K, Murabito JM, Ong KK, Cousminer DL, Stergiakouli E, Berry DJ, Ang W, Groen-Blokhuis MM, Körner A, Siitonen N, Ntalla I, Marinelli M, Perry JR, Kettunen J, Jansen R, Surakka I, Timpson NJ, Ring S, McMahon G, Power C, Wang C, Kähönen M, Viikari J, Lehtimäki T, Middeldorp CM, Hulshoff Pol HE, Neef M, Weise S, Pahkala K, Niinikoski H, Zeggini E, Panoutsopoulou K, Bustamante M, Penninx BW, Murabito J, Torrent M, Dedoussis GV, Kiess W, Boomsma DI, Pennell CE, Raitakari OT, Hyppönen E, Davey Smith G, Ripatti S, McCarthy MI, Widén E, Alizadeh BZ, de Boer RA, Boezen HM, Bruinenberg M, Franke L, van der Harst P, Hillege HL, van der Klauw MM, Navis G, Ormel J, Postma D, Rosmalen JG, Slaets JP, Snieder H, Stolk RP, Wolffenbuttel BH, Wijmenga C, Forouhi N, Kerrison ND, Langenberg C, Scott RA, Sharp SJ, Sims M, Barroso I, Deloukas P, McCarthy MI, Arriola L, Balkau B, Barricarte A, Boeing H, Franks PW, Gonzalez C, Grioni S, Kaaks R, Key TJ, Navarro C, Nilsson PM, Overvad K, Palli D, Panico S, Quirós J, Rolandsson O, Sacerdote C, Sánchez MJ, Slimani N, Tjonneland A, Tumino R, van der A DL, van der Schouw YT, Riboli E, Wareham NJ, Bowtell DD, Green A, Chenevix-Trench G, deFazio A, Gertig D, Webb PM, Brauch H, Justenhoven C, Hamann U, Ko YD, Baisch C, Fischer HP, Pesch B, Rabstein S, Spickenheuer A, Harth V, Aghmesheh M, Amor D, Andrews L, Antill Y, Armitage S, Arnold L, Balleine R, Bankier A, Bastick P, Beesley J, Beilby J, Bennett I, Bennett B, Berry G, Blackburn A, Bogwitz M, Brennan M, Brown M, Buckley M, Burgess M, Burke J, Butow P, Byron K, Callen D, Campbell I, Chauhan D, Chenevix-Trench G, Christian A, Clarke C, Colley A, Cotton D, Crook A, Cui J, Culling B, Cummings M, Dawson SJ, deFazio A, Delatycki M, Dickson R, Dixon J, Dobrovic A, Dudding T, Edkins T, Edwards S, Eisenbruch M, Farshid G, Fawcett S, Fellows A, Fenton G, Field M, Firgaira F, Flanagan J, Fleming J, Fong P, Forbes J, Fox S, French J, Friedlander M, Gaff C, Gardner M, Gattas M, George P, Giles G, Gill G, Goldblatt J, Greening S, Grist S, Eric H, Hardie K, Harris M, Hart S, Hayward N, Healey S, Heiniger L, Hopper J, Humphrey E, Hunt C, James P, Jenkins M, Jones A, Kefford R, Kidd A, Kiely B, Kirk J, Koehler J, Kollias J, Kovalenko S, Lakhani S, Leaming A, Leary J, Lim J, Lindeman G, Lipton L, Lobb L, Mann G, Marsh D, McLachlan SA, Meiser B, Meldrum C, Milne R, Mitchell G, Newman B, O'Connell S, O'Loughlin I, Osborne R, Pachter N, Patterson B, Peters L, Phillips K, Price M, Purser L, Reeve J, Reeve T, Richards R, Rickard E, Robinson B, Rudzki B, Saleh M, Salisbury E, Sambrook J, Saunders C, Saunus J, Sayer R, Scott E, Scott R, Scott C, Seshadri R, Sexton A, Sharma R, Shelling A, Simpson P, Southey M, Spurdle A, Suthers G, Sykes P, Taylor D, Taylor J, Thierry B, Thompson E, Thorne H, Townshend S, Trainer A, Tran L, Tucker K, Tyler J, Visvader J, Walker L, Walpole I, Waring P, Warner B, Warren G, Williams R, Wilson J, Winship I, Wu K, Young MA
        (        A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal)


      • Prospective Relationship of Change in Ideal Cardiovascular Health Status and Arterial Stiffness: The Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study  (2014)  
        • Journal of the American Heart Association
         Aatola H, Hutri-Kahonen N, Juonala M, Laitinen TT, Pahkala K, Mikkila V, Telama R, Koivistoinen T, Lehtimaki T, Viikari JSA, Raitakari OT, Kahonen M
        (        A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal)


      • Sydän- ja verisuonisairauksien ehkäisy lapsuudesta alkaen  (2014)  
           Pahkala K, Niinikoski H, Raitakari O
          (          A2 Refereed review article in a scientific journal )


        • The STRIP Study: Long-Term Impact of a Low Saturated Fat/Low Cholesterol Diet  (2014)  
             Niinikoski H., Pahkala K., Viikari J., Rönnemaa T., Jula A., Lagström H., Simell O., Raitakari O.
            (            A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal)



          Last updated on 2024-14-05 at 15:07