SE Valley Times

Arizona State University (ASU) is participating in a significant nationwide study led by the National Institutes of Health to address the increasing incidence of Type 2 diabetes among youth. Professor Gabe Shaibi, a key figure in this initiative, highlighted the severe consequences of early-onset Type 2 diabetes, stating that it could reduce life expectancy by up to 16 years and lead to earlier onset of other serious health conditions like kidney and heart disease.

Shaibi's team at ASU is one of 15 clinical sites across the United States involved in this study. They aim to recruit 3,600 participants aged between 9 and 14 who are considered at risk for developing Type 2 diabetes. The ASU-led team will collaborate with Phoenix Children’s Hospital to enroll 240 participants over a decade-long period.

The primary objective of the study is to understand why some high-risk children develop Type 2 diabetes while others do not. Shaibi explained that they intend to explore both biological factors and social determinants of health that might influence these outcomes. "What is causing the difference in these kids?" he asked, emphasizing the need for targeted prevention and intervention strategies.

The partnership with Phoenix Children’s Hospital involves recruiting participants from their endocrinology and diabetes division, followed by comprehensive testing conducted at ASU. This collaboration leverages Phoenix Children's clinical resources alongside ASU's research capabilities.

In addressing potential contributing factors, Shaibi noted that environmental exposures, access to healthcare, healthy foods, and opportunities for physical activity are being examined as part of the study. He described this focus on social determinants as a shift from traditional genetic research on diabetes.

The study will span ten years, with recruitment taking place over the first five years. By then, researchers hope to identify which participants have developed diabetes and analyze differences within this group.

Community engagement is an integral component of the project due to NIH grant requirements. This includes obtaining feedback from community members throughout the research process. Initiatives such as Access ASU aim to address educational disparities linked to higher diabetes risk by providing information about college preparation and savings.

In conclusion, Shaibi expressed hope that after ten years, researchers would be able to pinpoint which children require focused interventions: "Right now we don’t know where and how and whom to intervene with."