Understanding why minority youth are at higher risk for type 2 diabetes
Official title: Predictors of Youth-Onset Type 2 Diabetes: UAB Clinical Center
Funded at University of Alabama at Birmingham · NIH-11051270 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at why African-American and Hispanic-American kids are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, focusing on how their genes and diet might play a role, and it will follow 100 young people aged 8 to 16 over five years to help find ways to prevent this condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project start | March 10, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $647,882 |
| NIH project number | 5U01DK134966-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11051270 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are African-American and Hispanic-American youth aged 8-16 years who are at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not part of the minority youth demographic or those who already have type 2 diabetes may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the reasons behind the increased risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in minority youth, particularly focusing on African-American and Hispanic-American children. It aims to explore how genetic factors interact with environmental influences, such as diet, to elevate the risk of developing T2D. The study will recruit 100 at-risk youth aged 8-16 years who do not have T2D at the start and will follow them for five years to assess their insulin sensitivity, body composition, and other health metrics. By identifying predictors of T2D, the research seeks to provide insights that could lead to targeted prevention strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved prevention strategies for type 2 diabetes in minority youth, potentially reducing the incidence of this condition.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in identifying risk factors for type 2 diabetes in minority populations, making this approach both relevant and promising.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gower, Barbara a — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Gower, Barbara a
Related research
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Understanding why youth develop type 2 diabetes and how to prevent it
A nationwide study aims to unravel why some teens with obesity develop type 2 diabetes while others don’t, and to identify factors that could help prevent it.
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.