Introduction
We are conducting a research study to see if helping teenage girls feel better and less stressed decreases their risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease that puts individuals at risk for serious health problems like heart disease, kidney failure, vision problems, and stroke. There has been a very concerning rise in type 2 diabetes among teenagers. A major way that type 2 diabetes develops is through insulin resistance. Insulin is an important hormone the body makes to help keep blood sugar normal. Insulin resistance means that insulin isn't working as well as it should to help sugar enter the body's cells. As a result, blood sugar levels increase in the body, which can cause adverse health effects. Over time, worsening insulin resistance can lead to type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes can be prevented by improving insulin resistance. Being overweight and having family members with type 2 diabetes are risk factors for worsening insulin resistance. Therefore, leading a healthier life by eating healthy and exercising will improve insulin resistance. Also, a person's mood is related to insulin resistance. In particular, individuals who feel sad or depressed have worse insulin resistance than individuals who do not feel sad or depressed. Some research studies show that decreasing symptoms of depression among adults improves insulin resistance. However, this has not been tested in teenagers.
The purpose of this study is to find out if participating in a teen group program designed to improve mood will improve insulin resistance, or whether participating in a group program that teaches healthy living habits is just as helpful.
Teenage girls may be eligible if they:
- Are between 12-17 years of age
- Are overweight
- Are in good general health
- Have a family member with type 2 diabetes
- Feel down, wiped out or stressed
Teenage girls may not be eligible if they:
- Have major depression or another psychiatric disorder
- Are currently taking weight loss medication
- Are pregnant
- Navigate through the menu on your left to learn more about the study.
Or, - If you already are a participant in our study, please use the Log In application to fill out questionnaires.
