NIH-funded research R01 grant

Understanding Metabolic Health in Young People During Puberty

Official title: Metabolic Health during Puberty: the Healthy Start Study

Funded at University of Colorado Denver · NIH-11121917 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This project follows children and their mothers over time to learn how metabolic health changes during puberty and why some young people develop type 2 diabetes.

More Metabolic Health research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Colorado Denver
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES)
Project startJuly 1, 2022
Project endJune 30, 2027
Funding year2025
Award (this year)$699,677
NIH project number5R01DK133235-04
Project IDNIH-11121917 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

This project involves continued follow-up of children and their mothers who are already part of the Healthy Start Cohort.

Less likely to help

Individuals not currently enrolled in the Healthy Start Cohort would not directly participate in this specific follow-up.

What this research studies

Type 2 diabetes is becoming more common in both adults and young people, often appearing during mid-puberty when the body naturally becomes more resistant to insulin. We don't fully understand why some young people develop this condition, especially since most current information comes from studies that only look at a single point in time. This long-term project extends an existing study, the Healthy Start Cohort, to track metabolic changes in children from a young age through puberty. By carefully observing these changes, we hope to discover how a child's earlier health affects their metabolism during puberty and identify factors that lead to type 2 diabetes.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help us better predict and prevent type 2 diabetes in young people, leading to healthier lives.

How similar studies have gone: While previous studies have provided some insights, this project offers a novel, comprehensive longitudinal approach to understand metabolic changes throughout the entire pubertal transition.

Where this research is happening

  • University of Colorado Denver
    Aurora, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Dabelea, Dana — University of Colorado Denver
  • Study coordinator: Dabelea, Dana

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.