Diabetes Prevention Program for Obese Latino Youth

Community-Based Diabetes Prevention Program for Obese Latino Youth: Every Little Step Counts

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of 12 week lifestyle intervention on diabetes risk in obese Latino adolescents.

Obesity in the United States has reached epidemic proportions and Latinos youth are disproportionally impacted. Pediatric obesity is associated with several chronic health conditions including insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. However, very few interventions specifically targeting diabetes prevention for obese Latino adolescents have been developed.

Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine the effects a culturally-grounded, community-based lifestyle intervention on psychosocial and health outcomes among obese Latino adolescents. Eligible participants of this study will be randomly selected to the intervention group or the delayed-intervention group (control group) after an initial health screening for eligibility.

Participants selected to the intervention group will attend weekly healthy lifestyle education sessions with their parent(s)/guardian(s) and three physical activity sessions / week with other youth. After which, participants will attend monthly booster group meetings for three months.

All participants will be assessed at baseline, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months for insulin sensitivity, glucose tolerance, quality of life, fitness, and nutrition and physical activity behaviors.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Latino: self-report by parents
• Age: 14-16
• Obese: BMI percentile >= 95th percentile for age and gender or BMI >= 30 kg/m^2

Exclusion Criteria:

• Taking medication(s) or diagnosed with a condition that could influence carbohydrate metabolism, physical activity, and/or cognition
• Type 2 diabetes: Fasting plasma glucose >= 126 mg/dL or 2-hour plasma glucose >= 200 mg/dL (youth found to be diabetic through study's procedures will be referred for follow up care and excluded)
• Recent hospitalizations (previous 2 months)
• Currently enrolled in (or with in previous 6 months) a formal weight loss program
• Diagnosed depression or other condition that may impact QoL