Research

Weight Management through Regular Exercise

Physical Activity in Youth: Implications for Reversing Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease and Type 2 Diabetes

Protocol Description

The focus of this study is to understand the risk factors for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes and to explore the mechanisms by which regular exercise is associated with reduction in childhood obesity and improvement in health.

Eligibility Criteria

Participants will be chosen among overweight males and females between the ages of 12 and 18 years of age, who are not currently engaged in structured physical activity and who meet the additional screening criteria required within this study.
Boys: 12 to 18 years
Girls: 12 to 18 years

Requirements
Baseline evaluations require an overnight stay at Children’s Pediatric Clinical and Translational Research Center for comprehensive testing and diagnostic procedures related to childhood obesity. A repeat stay will take place at the end of the study period. Following baseline evaluation, participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups, aerobic training, resistance training, and standard care control groups. Both exercise groups will exercise with trainers, 3 times per week at either Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC or the YMCA in downtown Pittsburgh. Participants will also meet with the study's nutritionist regularly and will keep a journal on food intake.
Visits: For boys, screening plus 4 overnight stays (2 before and 2 after intervention)
Visits: For girls, screening plus 2 overnight stays (1 before and 1 after intervention)
Duration: 3 months

Status: Open for Enrollment

Source of Support
Department of Defense
American Diabetes Association