REACH-OUT: Chicago Children's Diabetes Prevention Program

Obesity is rising dramatically in young people, and with it the incidence of type 2 diabetes in young people is increasing. This trend is especially pronounced in minority populations in the US. This research program addresses the prevention of type 2 diabetes in African-American young people in Chicago and seeks to translate the findings of the adult Diabetes Prevention Program to this population. Specific aims are:

1. To pilot test a culturally sensitive, community-based, family oriented intervention to decrease obesity and risk of type 2 diabetes in a high risk, inner-city African-American population using outcomes that measure body habitus, biochemical markers of insulin sensitivity, and measures of lifestyle habits.
2. To assess various components of the intervention as it is implemented, to identify barriers and tailor the intervention as needed for optimal effectiveness in the target population prior to implementing a larger scale, long-term study.