Investigating the role of pancreatic fat and volume in childhood metabolic health

Pancreatic fat and volume and childhood metabolic health

NIH-funded research University of Colorado Denver · NIH-11080299

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 typeCareer grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Colorado Denver NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-11080299 on NIH RePORTER

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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include children and adolescents aged 0-20 years, particularly those with obesity or metabolic concerns.

Not a fit: 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.

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 performed: 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

Aurora, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions adult onset diabetesAdult-Onset Diabetes Mellitus
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.