A Family Based Intervention to Reduce the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes in Children
Principal Investigator:
Investigators:
- Lisa Buckloh, PhD
- Holly Antal, PhD
- Tim Wysocki, PhD
- J. Atilio Canas, MD
- Babu Balagopal, PhD
Background:
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) and obesity in children and adolescents is dramatically increasing in the United States as well as worldwide. Obesity is now the most prevalent pediatric nutritional disease and DM2 is a new morbidity in children and adolescents. In addition to being overweight or obese, other risk factors for DM2 include being of minority descent, low family income level, and having a family history of DM2, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. Obesity also increases the risk of developing DM2 and other chronic diseases, such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, orthopedic problems, sleep apnea, and several types of cancer. Prevention of metabolic syndrome to avoid the progression to DM2 is critical and should begin early, particularly in childhood and preadolescence. Prevention strategies should focus on lifestyle changes needed to target children before their condition progresses to metabolic syndrome or DM2. Diet and exercise are key elements to any lifestyle intervention for children who are overweight; however, families must be actively involved in the intervention and behavior modification techniques must play a critical role in any intervention.
What We're Doing:
Recently, Nemours received a 3-year grant from the American Diabetes Association to investigate whether a lifestyle intervention program for children would reduce their risk of developing additional health complications as a result of their weight. This study will enroll 150 children between 8 and 11 years of age who are overweight, but otherwise healthy. This project will test some of the ways of helping children who are overweight and their families cope with being overweight and also help them learn ways to lead a more active and healthier lifestyle. Families of children who are overweight between the ages for 8-11 years old and who have not been diagnosed with metabolic syndrome or type 2 diabetes upon entry into the study are eligible for enrollment. Families will be assigned by change into 1 of 2 groups: 1) 14 sessions of a family-focused lifestyle intervention group that will deal with teaching families about nutrition, exercise, and behavior management to promote a healthier and happier lifestyle (Intervention Group) or 2) a one time group education session led by a dietitian that will deal with education about the importance of nutrition and exercise (Control Group). Both of these groups will participate in three family evaluations. These evaluations will take place when they enter the study, immediately following the study, and six months later. These evaluations will include completing questionnaires, obtaining health measurements, and completing blood work.
Some of What We've Found So Far:
Enrollment of patients and families into this study began in August 2006 and is expected to continue for about 12-18 months until the full sample has entered the study. Each family will remain in the study for 1 year, and so the project will be continuing until about January 2009.
