Metabolic risk and health behaviors in minority youth at risk for type 2 diabetes.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of sex and race/ethnicity on metabolic risk and health behaviors in minority youth.


METHODS
A total of 173 seventh graders (46% male and 54% female; 49% Hispanic and 51% African American) with BMI ≥85th percentile and a family history of diabetes were assessed with weight, height, BMI, percent body fat, and waist circumference measures. Laboratory indexes included 2-h oral glucose tolerance tests with insulin levels at 0 and 2 h, fasting A1C, and lipids. Insulin resistance was estimated by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR). Youth also completed questionnaires evaluating health behaviors.


RESULTS
Average BMI (31.6 ± 6.4 kg/m²) and percent body fat (39.5 ± 10.6%) were high. All participants demonstrated insulin resistance with elevated HOMA-IR values (8.5 ± 5.2). Compared with African American youth, Hispanic youth had higher triglycerides and lower HDL cholesterol despite similar BMI. Hispanic youth reported lower self-efficacy for diet, less physical activity, and higher total fat intake. Male youth had higher glucose (0 and 2 h) and reported more physical activity, more healthy food choices, and higher calcium intake than female youth.


CONCLUSIONS
Screening high-risk youth for insulin resistance and lipid abnormalities is recommended. Promoting acceptable physical activities and healthy food choices may be especially important for Hispanic and female youth.
Holl
Marita G
MG
Yale University School of Nursing, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.
Jaser
Sarah S
SS
Womack
Julie A
JA
Jefferson
Vanessa L
VL
Grey
Margaret
M
D000293:Adolescent; D001827:Body Height / Q000502:physiology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D002648:Child; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D055105:Waist Circumference