OHSU Researchers Study Sixth-Graders to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes

   Portland, Ore.

NIH-funded, multicenter pilot study focuses on ethnic minorities at increased risk

This fall Oregon Health & Science University is partnering with Beaverton's Aloha Park K-8 School in a pilot study to test whether changes in physical education (PE) classes, food choices in cafeterias and vending machines, and advertisements for healthy choices can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.

The pilot study, dubbed "STAND UP!" or Schools Tackle Activity Nutrition and Diabetes Prevention, is part of a larger multiyear research initiative called "Studies to Treat Or Prevent Pediatric Type 2 Diabetes, or STOPP-T2D, sponsored by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), a member of the National Institutes of Health.

Type 2 diabetes, once unheard of among children, is increasing at an alarming rate. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 3 Americans born in 2000 will develop type 2 diabetes in their lifetime. In response to this disturbing trend, the NIDDK developed STAND UP!

Through STAND UP!, researchers aim to reach a large number of at-risk youth in their schools where they can monitor how foods they eat and the amount of exercise they get can help them feel better and help prevent three of the key risk factors for type 2 diabetes: unhealthy diet, overweight and physical inactivity. The results of this multi-center study will be used to improve the program before expanding it to middle schools across the country.

"The goal of STAND UP! is to develop a population-based intervention to prevent or decrease the development of risk factors for type 2 diabetes in adolescents, specifically targeting sixth-grade students. Children at this age are typically in the midst of puberty, which causes changes that increase insulin resistance, a problem with type 2 diabetes, along with altering body composition and increasing body fat. Also, some reduce their physical activity level - all these factors affect the risk of developing type 2 diabetes," said Linn Goldberg, M.D., OHSU's principal investigator, professor of medicine and head of the Division of Health Promotion and Sports Medicine in the OHSU School of Medicine.

An OHSU teaching team comprising a research dietician, health promotion coordinator, school coordinators and a Ph.D. PE specialist, will work with the school's staff. A Health Action Team, consisting of students, parents and school staff will implement three main interventions to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes in this age group.

The PE class will focus on increasing physical activity levels to "moderate to vigorous." Foods and beverages in the cafeteria and vending machines will be changed to provide students access to more fresh fruits and vegetables and items with more fiber. Instead of sugary drinks, more water will be available. In addition, a marketing program will be initiated in the school with posters and banners. Next year, a "behavior curriculum" aimed at increasing physical activity in and out of school, decreasing sedentary behavior and changing dietary habits will be instituted.

OHSU investigators and Aloha Park K-8 School administrators met this summer with parents of sixth-graders during an informal meeting to discuss the study and answer questions, and again during back-to-school night.

"We are very excited to have this program here," said Patty Book, principal, Aloha Park K-8 School. "It allows us to take what we already do very well, nutrition and physical education, and make it even better, to push the envelope."

Out of the 64 universities that applied for this grant, seven were selected, including: OHSU; University of Pennsylvania; University of Pittsburgh; University of North Carolina; Baylor University; University of Texas, San Antonio, and University of California, Irvine.

Other OHSU School of Medicine researchers working on the project include: Diane Elliot, M.D., professor of medicine (health promotion and sports medicine); Kerry Kuehl, M.D., Dr.P.H., assistant professor of medicine (health promotion and sports medicine); Esther Moe, Ph.D., M.P.H., research assistant professor of medicine (health promotion and sports medicine); Diane Stadler, Ph.D., R.D., L.D., research assistant professor and bionutritionist; Jean-Baptiste Roullet, Ph.D., research associate professor of surgery (vascular surgery); Cheryl Hanna, M.D, Department of Pediatrics. Lynn DeBar, Ph.D., M.P.H., at the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research, Portland, also is working on this project.

ABOUT TYPE 2 DIABETES

Type 2 diabetes, formerly known as non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, is a metabolic disorder resulting from the body's inability to make enough, or to properly use, insulin. Without adequate insulin, the body cannot move blood sugar into the cells. Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes. No one knows exactly what causes it, but there appears to be a genetic factor. Although a person can inherit a tendency to develop type 2 diabetes, it usually takes another risk factor, such as obesity, to bring on the disease. Although type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease with no known cure, it may be prevented or delayed by following a program to eliminate or reduce risk factors - particularly losing weight and increasing exercise. Risk factors for type 2 diabetes include:


For more information about type 2 diabetes, visit: www.OHSUhealth.com/htaz/diabetes/types/type_2_diabetes.cfm

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