A top event on public health as part of defense capability will be held in Riihimäki

The Finnish Defence Forces Military Medical Center, the University of Helsinki and the City of Riihimäki will organize a top international event on 7–10 April 2025, focusing on the importance of performance-enhancing, healthy lifestyles in supporting military readiness as part of defense capability.

The event brings together experts from Finland, the United States Air Force, the Royal Navy and Air Force of Great Britain, and Lithuania, among others. The event promotes international, multidisciplinary cooperation in the areas of defense actors, academic research, and health technology.

“Developing innovations in the defense and security sector requires strong networks. Riihimäki wants to act as a platform that connects domestic and international actors and promotes the creation of new solutions. The Define network and top events like this are a central part of the city's investment,” says Riihimäki Mayor Jouni Eho.

The deteriorating health of Finnish youth is a public health challenge

National defence capability is linked to the performance of those in military duties. Physical, mental and cognitive performance are interconnected. Nutrition, physical fitness, mental health and sleep are key factors that can be significantly improved by influencing the performance of both the individual and the entire unit. The Finnish Defence Forces play a significant role in promoting public health, as our defence is based on a trained reserve and comprehensive security.

The declining health and well-being of Finnish youth is a significant public health, economic and national security challenge. Physical and mental health challenges directly affect work and performance, which is reflected in the entire society and thus also in the Defence Forces. Capable reservists and citizens form the basis of defence and performance in exceptional circumstances. Our food environment has changed and although young people have good basic knowledge about health, new ways are needed to support young people in making healthier choices in everyday life. Worldwide, overweight has become a challenge in military training and defence capabilities of various countries.

“Maintaining defense capability requires more than traditional health care, and therefore military medicine is increasingly focusing on performance maintenance and preventive measures such as nutrition, sleep, and physical training,” says Chief Physician Ilkka Laaksi, Director of the Military Medical Center.

NutFinForce is researching strengthening defense capabilities with artificial intelligence-assisted nutrition coaching

The University of Helsinki and the Center for Military Medicine are preparing the NutFinForce study, which aims to study strengthening defense capabilities through digital, artificial intelligence-assisted nutrition coaching. The US Air Force Lifestyle & Performance Medicine Working Group, Metabite and Metropolia University of Applied Sciences are involved in the preparation of the study. The goal is to improve the performance of conscripts with tailored nutrition guidance before, during and after service, utilizing personalized coaching solutions.

“We need impactful and scalable solutions that appeal to young people and offer support for adopting healthy lifestyles,” says the study's leader, Professor Kristiina Patja from the University of Helsinki.

Additional information:

Ilkka Laaksi
Finnish Defence Forces Military Medical Center
tel. 0299 575 100

Kristina Patja
university of Helsinki
tel. 050 4392175

Teemu Seppälä
Riihimäki/Define
tel. 050 374 4589

Brief information about the participating organizations

• Finnish Defence Forces Military Medical Center: The Military Medical Center takes care of the health of conscripts and personnel of the Defence Forces. The center also organizes
  provides field medical training and conducts military medical research.
• University of Helsinki, Department of Public Health: Focuses on promoting population health, preventing disease and reducing health disparities. NutFinForce: The
  Impact of Digitally Delivered Lifestyle Performance Medicine intervention on Defense Performance in Finland. The study assesses the feasibility, acceptability and cost-effectiveness of health coaching and the effects on the adoption of healthier dietary and lifestyle habits. The aim is to promote long-term health benefits for public health and improve national defense performance.
• The Define ecosystem of the city of Riihimäki: Defense Innovation Network Finland (DEFINE) brings together the defence forces, defence and security companies, educational institutions and research institutes nationally and internationally in Riihimäki. The network aims to accelerate the innovation and development activities of the participants and to increase the companies'
  business.
• Metropolia University of Applied Sciences: Metropolia's movement laboratory performs walking and running analyses, isokinetic muscle strength measurements, and other assessments of movement and functional ability. In the NutFinForce research collaboration, experts from Metropolia's movement laboratory carry out both physical and cognitive follow-up measurements.
• Metabite is a Finnish health technology company specializing in artificial intelligence-based nutrition coaching. The company offers scalable and cost-effective solutions
  to promote health and enhance nutritional guidance worldwide. The company's development utilizes a unique database of over 7 million meals, accumulated over ten years in collaboration with nutritionists and a variety of customers - from elite athletes to those with chronic diseases. This allows Metabite to provide personalized and automated nutritional coaching for a wide range of needs.
• US Air Force Lifestyle & Performance Medicine Working Group integrates the principles of lifestyle and performance medicine into military health care to improve the readiness and long-term health of service personnel. Focusing on six pillars – nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress management, social connections and substance abuse – the group conducts research, provides education, and implements clinical and community-based initiatives. By advancing evidence-based interventions, it supports soldier performance, disease prevention and overall well-being