The alarming rise in obesity and type2 diabetes in all age groups poses a major public
health crisis for this country. This important study is one component of a multi faceted
research agenda to address this dual epidemic, which threatens the health of our youth
and the vitality of your health care system.
Participating schools will be randomly assigned to a program group, which implements the
changes, or to a comparison group, which continues to offer food choices and PE
programs typically seen in middle schools across the country. Students in the program
group will have healthier choices from the cafeteria and vending machines (e.g., lower fat
food, more fruits and vegetables, and drinks with no added sugar). Longer, more intense
periods of physical activity, and activities and awareness campaigns that promote long
term healthy behaviors.
After 2.5 years, all students will be tested for diabetes risk factors including blood levels of
glucose, insulin, and lipids. They will also be measured for fitness level, blood pressure,
height, weight, and waist circumference.
The school environment can have a profound effect on the behavior and health of young
people. From this study they hope to learn if better food options, improvements in physical
activity programs, and education about eating better and moving more result in healthier
kids and a lower risk of type 2 diabetes.
The studies are being conducted by researchers at: Baylor College in Houston, TX,
University of California, University of North Carolina, Oregon Health and Science
University, Temple University, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, University of
Texas Health Science Center, and George Washington University, Washington, DC.
In planning the HEALTHY study, researchers relied on the results of six pilot studies. In
one such study, about half of eight graders in 12 schools were over weight or at risk for
overweight, a few had diabetes, but about 41% had abnormally high reading of fasting
blood glucose, pointing to a much higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Type2 diabetes is closely linked to being overweight, inactive and having a family history
of diabetes. Nearly 2/3 of U.S. adults are over weight or obese, with a body mass index
(BMI) of 25 of more. Among youth 2 to 19 years old, 17 % are over weight. (i.e., have a
BMI between the 85 and 95 percentile for their age and sex , putting them at risk for
becoming over weight.
Type 1 diabetes, which affects up to 1 million people in the United States, develops when
the body's immune system destroys the insulin producing beta cells of the pancreas. This
form of diabetes usually strikes children and young adults, that will need several insulin
injections a day or an insulin pump to survive. The HEALTHY study is aimed at preventing
type2 diabetes. Other NIH funded studies are trying to prevent type1 diabetes in centers
nationwide
National Institutes of Health
The longer a person has diabetes, the greater the chances of developing serious damage
to the eyes, nerves, heart, kidneys, and blood vessels. Doctors are already seeing kids in
their late teens with early complications from type 2 diabetes. Where type 2 diabetes
accounts for more than 20% of new childhood cases. As a society, we need to address
the obesity epidemic if we are to have any success containing the rising rate of type 2
diabetes in kids. A logical place to start is in our schools.
Once seen only in adults, type 2 diabetes has been rising steadily in youth. While there
are no national data on the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in youth, clinics around the
country are reporting that more young people, especially from minority groups, are
developing the disease. Studies in Cincinnati, LA, San Antonio and other cities conclude
that cases of type 2 in youth have risen dramatically since 1994, when less than 5 % of
new childhood cases were type 2. By 1999, type 2 accounted for 8 to 45 % of new
childhood diabetes cases, varying by geographic location. Some diabetes centers are
now seeing more new cases of type 2 than type 1.
Nearly 21 million people in the U.S., 7% of the population has diabetes, the most common
cause of blindness, kidney failure, and amputations in adults and major cause of heart
disease and stroke. Type 2 accounts for up to 95% of all diabetes cases in adults, and
about 1/3 of those affected don't know they have it. The prevalence of the type 2 has
risen dramatically in the last 30 years, due mostly to the upsurge in obesity. In addition, at
least 54 million U.S. adults age 20 and older have pre-diabetes, which independently
raises the risk of developing type 2 and cardiovascular disease.
Results from the HEALTHY study are expected in 2009. Sponsored by the NIDDK, the
study is part of a broad research initiative, called STOPP T2D (Studies to treat or prevent
pre-diabetic type 2 diabetes), which seeks to improve the treatment and prevention of,
type 2 diabetes in youth. The ADA also sponsors the HEALTHY study, and the Institute
for Public Health and Water Research supports the study through a grant to the ADA.
The NIH also sponsors "We Can! - Way to enhance children’s activity and nutrition", a
program to prevent childhood obesity, which encourages parents and children to adopt
healthy eating habits, increase physical activity, and reduce leisure "screen time".
"We can materials including fact sheets, brochures and curricula for adults and children,
are available at wecan.nhlbi.nih.gov or by calling toll free 1-866-35-WECAN.
Until next time,
Blessings to you all
Nancy
