Obesity and Diabetes Prevention Through Science Enrichment (DKENERGY)

Type 2 diabetes and obesity in children continue to increase at alarming rates with devastating results. However, both these metabolic diseases are largely preventable through adoption of a healthy lifestyle, an understanding of what happens to food in the body, energy balance and some simple aspects of glucose regulation. Can elementary school children be taught the knowledge and skills necessary to prevent type 2 diabetes and obesity? Children need to learn this essential knowledge and practice these important health behavior skills. Elementary school may be an ideal place to master this subject that is a direct and logical extension of current health curricula including nutrition and physical activity blended with science and math.

Biomedical scientists lead a classroom series of interactive, inquiry-based science and health explorations directed at type 2 diabetes, obesity and their prevention in three elementary schools serving children at high risk for type 2 diabetes. Diabetes knowledge was measured in children and parents at the beginning, end and 9 months after the end of the intervention using validated questionnaires.

Childhood, Prevention, Energy balance, Glucose regulation, Healthy lifestyle, Healthy eating, Active living

Elementary school children in grades 2-6 matched to the intervention classes not receiving any intervention

Weekly or biweekly classroom and gym based science enrichment focused on how the body works including blood glucose regulation, healthy eating and physical activity, diabetes abd how it can be prevented