Helping children at risk for Type 2 diabetes by breaking up sitting time
Testing the efficacy of multi-day interruptions in sedentary behaviors on metabolic, cognitive, and affective outcomes in youth at risk for Type 2 diabetes
This research explores if taking short breaks from sitting throughout the day can help children with overweight or obesity improve their health and mood, potentially lowering their risk for Type 2 diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11164769 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many children spend a lot of time sitting, which can increase their risk for health problems like Type 2 diabetes, as well as affect their thinking and mood. While regular exercise is important, it can be hard for kids to meet daily recommendations. This project looks at a different approach: whether short, frequent breaks from sitting, like 3-minute bursts of activity, can offer similar health benefits over several days. We want to see if these small changes can make a big difference in preventing Type 2 diabetes in young people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 7-11 years old who have overweight or obesity.
Not a fit: Patients who are adults or do not have risk factors for Type 2 diabetes may not directly benefit from this specific intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could offer a simple, practical way for children to improve their metabolic health, cognitive function, and mood, reducing their risk of Type 2 diabetes.
How similar studies have performed: While short-term benefits of interrupting sedentary behavior have been shown, the sustained, multi-day effects of this approach are currently unknown and are the focus of this novel investigation.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, UNITED STATES
- University of Southern California — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Belcher, Britni Ryan — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Belcher, Britni Ryan
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.