Grant: CIHR New Investigator

In youth it remains unclear how effective physical activity is at lowering the risk for type 2 diabetes and if it does, how much activity is needed. This information is critical for developing guidelines and policies for diabetes prevention in youth. We hope to address this issue by conducting a physical activity intervention study on risk factors for type 2 diabetes in youth. We are going to test the theory that higher intensity physical activity will be better for reducing the risk for type 2 diabetes in overweight youth than lower intensity physical activity. To accomplish this aim we plan to recruit 120 overweight youth 13-18 yrs of age that have signs suggesting that they are at risk for type 2 diabetes. Eligible youth will be randomly assigned to either (1) low intensity activity; (2) high intensity activity or (3) 6-month delayed activity (control) group for a period of six months. Youth will be exercise trained at YMCA locations in Winnipeg supervised by trained staff at least 3 days each week for a period of 6 months, after which all measurements of diabetes risk will be repeated. The data will not only provide us with important information for how much physical activity an adolescent needs to reduce their risk for type 2 diabetes, but we will also gain insight into the reasons why some adolescents progress to diabetes while others remain protected. This information will help clinicians and policy makers tailor messages and practical efforts for the prevention of type 2 diabetes in the growing number of at-risk Canadian youth.