Relationship of insulin resistance to psychobehavioral characteristics of overweight and obese African American children.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationships of insulin resistance to positive as well as negative dimensions of the child's emotions, behavior and personality (hereafter referred to as "psychobehavioral characteristics") in a convenience sample of inner-city, overweight and obese, African American children. METHODS: A secondary analysis was performed on a sample of 127 children ages 9-12 yr old who were participating in a community-based, Type 2 diabetes prevention program. Psychobehavioral characteristics of children were assessed using both child and parent ratings derived from the Behavioral Assessment for Children, 2nd edition (BASC-2). Body fatness was evaluated using anthropometric techniques, and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated from fasting glucose and insulin concentrations. Hierarchical multiple linear regression models were employed with BASC scales as dependent variables and HOMA-IR as the independent variable of interest. RESULTS: After adjusting for child age, pubertal stage, gender, family socioeconomic index, and intervention group assignment, child HOMA-IR was related at p<0.05 to less favorable scores for parent-report of behavioral symptoms and externalizing problems composites, and to content scales for bullying and negative emotionality. Additionally, child HOMA-IR was related at p<0.01 to less favorable scores for child-report inattention/hyperactivity composite. Body fatness suppressed the unfavorable relationship between HOMA-IR and these and other psychobehavioral characteristics as the degree of significance was higher following adjustment for body fatness in this cohort. CONCLUSION: More than one psychobehavioral characteristic were associated with body fatness and insulin resistance in the overweight children of this study. Whether the associations are due to several, or only one, of these psychobehavioral characteristics could not be determined. A much larger and future study will be needed to determine which, if any, of these psychobehavioral characteristics are independently associated with insulin resistance in overweight children.

Taking Action Together: a YMCA-based protocol to prevent type-2 diabetes in high-BMI inner-city African American children.

BACKGROUND: Associated with a tripling in obesity since 1970, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in children has risen 9-10 fold. There is a critical need of protocols for trials to prevent T2DM in children. METHODS/DESIGN: This protocol includes the theory, development, evaluation components and lessons learned from a novel YMCA-based T2DM prevention intervention designed specifically for high-BMI African American children from disadvantaged, inner-city neighborhoods of Oakland, California. The intervention was developed on the basis of: review of epidemiological and intervention studies of pediatric T2DM; a conceptual theory (social cognitive); a comprehensive examination of health promotion curricula designed for children; consultation with research, clinical experts and practitioners and; input from community partners. The intervention, Taking Action Together, included culturally sensitive and age-appropriate programming on: healthy eating; increasing physical activity and, improving self esteem. DISCUSSION: Evaluations completed to date suggest that Taking Action Together may be an effective intervention, and results warrant an expanded evaluation effort. This protocol could be used in other community settings to reduce the risk of children developing T2DM and related health consequences. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01039116.

Impact of filter paper on fluorescence measurements of buffered saline filtrates.

Fluorescent contaminants have been observed when stock solutions of phosphate buffered saline solutions at each of three pH values (2.2, 7.5, and 12.5) are analyzed after passing through commercially available filter paper. The filtrate's fluorescence was observed to exhibit a maximum signal at 440.0 nm when excited at 365 nm. Detection of trace components could have significant implications in the design and implementation of sample processing protocols when using fluorescence.