 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Sujatha Ganapathy, MS1, Lorrene Ritchie, PhD, RD2, Gail M. Woodward-Lopez, MPH, RD2, Dana Gerstein, MPH, RD3, and Sharon E Fleming, PhD4. (1) CNR-Center for Weight and Health, University of California Berkeley, 3 Giannini Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720-3100, (2) Center for Weight and Health, University of California, Berkeley, 3 Giannini Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720-3100, 510-471-4760, ritchie25@earthlink.net, (3) CNR - Center for Weight & Health, University of California Berkeley, 3 Giannini Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720-3100, (4) Nutritional Sciences & Toxicology, University of California Berkeley, 229, Morgan Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720-3104
An in-depth review of the scientific literature was undertaken to assess and summarize the latest knowledge regarding promising interventions to prevent type 2 diabetes in youth. Type 2 diabetes in youth is the most rapidly growing type of diabetes in the nation and accounts for as much as half of new diagnoses in youth over ten years of age. It is a progressive disease beginning years prior to diagnosis with a gradual increase in peripheral insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia, followed by a decline in pancreatic insulin secretion and hyperglycemia. This progression can be prevented or delayed with early and appropriate intervention. Prevention in youth is especially important given that early age of onset puts children at risk for microvascular complications related to disease duration. Primary prevention efforts should target children before adolescence and prior to the onset and consolidation of exacerbating dietary and physical activity behaviors. The two major strategies for preventing type 2 diabetes are targeting high-risk individuals and a population-based approach. Although the high-risk approach has been effective with adults, it is also quite costly. Population-based approaches can be more cost-effective and sustainable, but their efficacy remains to be established. Few type 2 diabetes prevention programs have been designed specifically for youth and formally evaluated. Studies to date indicate that type 2 diabetes risk can be attenuated, at least in the short-term, if integrated changes in diet, physical fitness and/or adiposity are achieved. As a result of this review, lessons learned, barriers identified and recommendations will be summarized.
Learning Objectives:
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.