Reversal of early abnormalities in glucose metabolism in obese youth: results of an intensive lifestyle randomized controlled trial

Background The childhood obesity epidemic has been accompanied by an increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D), particularly in minority children. 20-30% of obese youth have “pre-diabetes” a precursor to diabetes marked by insulin resistance, β-cell dysfunction and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). The Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) demonstrated that T2D could be prevented/delayed by intensive lifestyle modification in adults with pre-diabetes, but efficacy of similar interventions in youth has not been established. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of the Bright Bodies Healthy Lifestyle Program on 2-hr OGTT glucose in comparison to adolescents receiving standard of care.

Methods Parallel-group randomized controlled trial comparing Bright Bodies (BB) with standard clinical care (CC) in obese adolescents (10-16 yo, Tanner stage >2) with elevated OGTT 2-hr blood glucose (130-199 mg/dl) from a racial/ethnically diverse population. OGTTs, including cardiovascular and anthropometric assessments, were conducted at baseline and 6 months. Children attended BB twice per week for exercise and nutrition/behavior modification and CC group received clinical care from their pediatrician. Read more