Diabetes Prevention Program for Obese Latino Youth

Obesity in the United States has reached epidemic proportions and Latinos youth are
disproportionally impacted. Pediatric obesity is associated with several chronic health
conditions including insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. However, very few interventions
specifically targeting diabetes prevention for obese Latino adolescents have been developed.

Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine the effects a culturally-grounded,
community-based lifestyle intervention on psychosocial and health outcomes among obese Latino
adolescents. Eligible participants of this study will be randomly selected to the
intervention group or the delayed-intervention group (control group) after an initial health
screening for eligibility.

Participants selected to the intervention group will attend weekly healthy lifestyle
education sessions with their parent(s)/guardian(s) and three physical activity sessions /
week with other youth. After which, participants will attend monthly booster group meetings
for three months.

All participants will be assessed at baseline, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months for insulin
sensitivity, glucose tolerance, quality of life, fitness, and nutrition and physical activity
behaviors.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Latino: self-report by parents

- Age: 14-16

- Obese: BMI percentile >= 95th percentile for age and gender or BMI >= 30 kg/m^2

Exclusion Criteria:

- Taking medication(s) or diagnosed with a condition that could influence carbohydrate
metabolism, physical activity, and/or cognition

- Type 2 diabetes: Fasting plasma glucose >= 126 mg/dL or 2-hour plasma glucose >= 200
mg/dL (youth found to be diabetic through study's procedures will be referred for
follow up care and excluded)

- Recent hospitalizations (previous 2 months)

- Currently enrolled in (or with in previous 6 months) a formal weight loss program

- Diagnosed depression or other condition that may impact QoL