National Diabetes Study

National Diabetes Study

October 2004
Volume IV, Number 4

Hoping to reverse a serious and growing health threat to children, researchers are launching a new study aimed at learning if changes in physical education activities and cafeteria rood selections can prevent diabetes.

The program, called Schools Tackle Activity, Nutrition and Diabetes Prevention (Stand Up!) will involve teachers and administrators at over 100 middle schools across the country.

This fall, students at Selma Middle School in North Carolina can take advantage of healthy changes in cafeteria selections. Sixth-graders will see changes in PE classes. Some, with their parent's permission, will provide study data by having their height and weight measured, wearing heart rate monitors in gym class, and answering questions about diet and activities outside school. In addition, all sixth-grade students and teachers received free pedometers for a three-week walking challenge.

Medical centers participating in the Stand Up! study include the universities of California at Irvine, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina; Baylor College of Medicine; Oregon Health and Science University; and the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.