Investigating the role of pancreatic fat and volume in childhood metabolic health
Official title: Pancreatic fat and volume and childhood metabolic health
Funded at University of Colorado Denver · NIH-11080299 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the amount of fat and size of the pancreas can impact the health of kids and teens, especially as more young people are developing type 2 diabetes, and it aims to find out what other factors, besides being overweight, might affect their metabolic health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | May 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $90,000 |
| NIH project number | 5K99DK136503-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11080299 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include children and adolescents aged 0-20 years, particularly those with obesity or metabolic concerns.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not within the age range of 0-20 years or do not have concerns related to obesity or metabolic health may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how pancreatic fat and volume affect metabolic health in children and adolescents, particularly in relation to the rising incidence of type 2 diabetes. By utilizing advanced imaging techniques, the study will assess these pancreatic traits in a large cohort of mother-child pairs from the Healthy Start Study. The research aims to identify factors beyond obesity that contribute to metabolic dysfunction, providing insights into early nutritional influences on pancreatic health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for preventing type 2 diabetes in children by identifying critical risk factors associated with pancreatic health.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that examining pancreatic traits can provide valuable insights into metabolic health, although this specific approach is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Colorado Denver
Aurora, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cohen, Catherine Cioffi — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Cohen, Catherine Cioffi
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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.