Causes and risk factors for type 2 diabetes in children and teens
Understanding and Targeting the Pathophysiology of Youth-onset Type 2 Diabetes - Biostatistics Research Center
This project looks at how puberty, body weight, behavior, and social factors influence whether children and teens develop type 2 diabetes so doctors can find better ways to prevent and treat it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | George Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Washington, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11291230 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you join, researchers will follow children and adolescents over time through puberty and collect blood tests and other health measures to track glucose control, insulin sensitivity, and beta-cell function. They'll gather information about behavior, mental health, and social and geographic factors and link those to the biological tests. The team will compare kids who stay healthy to those who develop prediabetes or type 2 diabetes to pinpoint the earliest changes. A central biostatistics center will combine data across sites to find patterns that could guide future prevention or treatment trials.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are children and adolescents—especially those who are overweight, have a family history of type 2 diabetes, or are entering puberty—who can attend regular study visits.
Not a fit: Adults with long-standing type 2 diabetes or people with type 1 diabetes are unlikely to receive direct benefits from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could help identify children at highest risk earlier and guide new ways to prevent or better manage youth-onset type 2 diabetes.
How similar studies have performed: Previous youth diabetes cohort studies have improved understanding of risk patterns, but this project extends that work by focusing on puberty, diverse populations, and detailed biostatistics for predicting progression.
Where this research is happening
Washington, United States
- George Washington University — Washington, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Braffett, Barbara Halina — George Washington University
- Study coordinator: Braffett, Barbara Halina
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.