| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome
Overweight issues among minority children and adolescents are one of the most prevalent public health problems in the United States. Preliminary studies at Children's show obesity (BMI >95th percentile for age and sex) in 38 percent of Hispanic Americans and 40 percent among African American children and adolescents. Obesity is associated with both psychosocial and medical complications, including type 2 diabetes. Twenty-seven percent of overweight Hispanic American children studied at Children's had three or more criteria of metabolic syndrome, which can indicate increased likelihood for developing type 2 diabetes. Recent Centers for Disease Control reports suggest that nearly 50 percent of children born in the year 2000 will develop type 2 diabetes, with an average 18-22 year loss of life (quality adjusted life years).
Yetrib Hathout, PhD, Eric P. Hoffman, PhD, and Joseph Devaney, PhD have initiated a series of collaborative studies on metabolic syndrome and type II diabetes. Recently, they found that muscle metabolism changes dramatically in the progression from normal to obese to morbid obesity. Two NIH-funded projects include a study of SNPs in children with type 2 diabetes and obesity, and an exercise intervention in overweight minority adolescents to study effects on insulin resistance and serum fibrinolysis. Nazrat Mirza, MD, focuses on further understanding the effect of interventions on high risk obesity pediatric populations.
Ongoing childhood obesity studies at Children's include:
- A pilot study to examine the effect of low glycemic load diets in Latino children at risk for type 2 diabetes (T2D). This study is funded by NIH, Consumer Health Foundation and Kaiser Permanente. Low-glycemic load (GL) diets have been proposed to reduce hyperinsulinemia and body weight in children. However, it is unknown if reducing GL in Hispanic-American children will improve insulin sensitivity or reduce overweight. The objectives of the research project are to compare the short- and long-term effects of a low-GL versus a low-fat diet on insulin sensitivity, body composition and markers of metabolic risk in overweight Hispanic-American children ages 7 to 14 years at risk for T2D. Eligible subjects are randomly assigned either to a low-GL or a low-fat dietary plan for 2 years. Subjects also participate in a culturally competent, family-based intervention program which includes behavior modification and enhanced physical activity. Changes in insulin sensitivity, BMI z-score, body fat, and aspects of the metabolic syndrome in the two dietary groups will be compared. Investigator: Dr. Mirza.
- The effect of an exercise intervention program in insulin-resistant minority adolescents. This NIH funded project targets African-American and Hispanic adolescents ages 14 to 18 years old with insulin-resistance. The objective of the study is to determine the effects of exercise on insulin sensitivity and fibrinolytic activity. Investigator: Dr. Hoffman.
- The study of exercise/insulin-related muscle SNPs in the predisposition towards T2D in minority children. This NIH funded study targets African-American and Hispanic adolescents ages 12 to 18 years old with obesity, insulin-resistance, or T2D. The objective of this project is to discover SNPs and haplotypes associated with T2D susceptibility in African American and Hispanic adolescents. Investigator: Dr. Hoffman.
- “Start Early, Start Right”: An intervention to prevent and treat obesity among Latino preschoolers ages 2 to 4 years. This comprehensive family based approach to the prevention of obesity is funded by the DC WIC program. The objectives of the study are to promote: healthy diet and eating habits in preschool children; increasing physical activity and decreasing sedentary behavior; and to improve parenting skills of parents of preschool children. Changes in BMI (child and parent), nutrition and physical activity knowledge and behavior and reduction in sedentary conduct from baseline to post-intervention will be measured to assess effectiveness of the intervention. Investigator: Dr. Mirza.
Related Links
- National Child Care Information Center (NCCIC) The NCCIC is an organization dedicated to linking families, providers, policy-makers, researchers, and the public to information about early child care and education information. The site contains many links to information about legislation and policies affection early childhood care including the Administration for Children and Families Priorities, nutrition/obesity prevention, and the Bush administration's Early Childhood Initiative. The site also features links to resources for parents.
|
|
|
|
|
|
