"R. U. A. HEALTHY KID?"- NON-INVASIVE SCREENING FOR RISK FACTORS FOR TYPE 2 DIABETES AT VIENNA GRADE SCHOOL

Author

Sarah Sheffer, Southern Illinois University CarbondaleFollow

Date of Award

12-1-2010

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Food and Nutrition

First Advisor

Peterson, Sharon

Abstract

AN ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS OF Sarah Sheffer, for the Master of Science degree in Food and Nutrition, presented on September 3, 2009, at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. TITLE: "R. U. A. HEALTHY KID?"- NON-INVASIVE SCREENING FOR RISK FACTORS FOR TYPE 2 DIABETES AT VIENNA GRADE SCHOOL MAJOR PROFESSOR: Dr. Sharon Peterson It is estimated that 1 in 3 children born after the year 2000 will develop some form of diabetes (CDC, 2007). Through Public Act 92-0703, the state of Illinois has started requiring screening for T2DM at the 6th and 9th grade school physicals following the ADA guidelines (IDHS, 2006). The ADA recommends screening children ten and older with a BMI ≥ 85th percentile for two additional risk factors for T2DM (ethnic minority, positive family history of T2DM, hypertension, acanthosis nigricans) (ADA, 2000). While much research has been done, few studies in the U.S. have looked at traditionally "low risk" populations (Sinha 2002, Whitaker 2004, Arslanian 2005). Our study sought to further understand the prevalence of risk factors in a predominantly Caucasian elementary school (K-8 grade). Our study (N=299) found approximately 67% of students to have 1 or more risk factors for T2DM and classified 17 students "at risk" for T2DM. Following Illinois Public Act 92-0703, only 1 student would have been identified "at risk" for T2DM. When comparing "at risk" status, all risk factors except ethnicity were found statistically significant (p< 0.001). Hypertensive "at risk" students were more likely to be morbidly obese (p< 0.001). Our study also found more risk factors as BMI increased.