Overweight children are at a higher risk of developing diabetes as adults.
The goals of the University of Maryland Medical Center study reflect the new national guidelines by the American Diabetes Association to identify and treat people with diabetes before complications occur. About 16 million people in the United States have diabetes. Non-insulin dependent diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and can lead to kidney failure, blindness, stroke and amputations. During the study, children and their parents will learn about healthy food choices, exercises they can do, and other behavioral modifications. The study will enroll about 200 children in three groups, each receiving a different intensity of intervention.