A multifaceted school-based intervention to reduce risk for type 2 diabetes in at-risk youth

ObjectiveTo evaluate the impact of a multifaceted, school-based intervention on inner city youth at high risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and to determine whether the addition of coping skills training (CST) and health coaching improves outcomes.Method198 students in New Haven, CT at risk for T2DM (BMI > 85th percentile and family history of diabetes) were randomized by school to an educational intervention with or without the addition of CST and health coaching. Students were enrolled from 2004 to 2007 and followed for 12 months.ResultsStudents in both groups showed some improvement in anthropometric measures, lipids, and depressive symptoms over 12 months. BMI was not improved by the intervention. Students who received CST showed greater improvement on some indicators of metabolic risk than students who received education only.ConclusionA multifaceted, school-based intervention may hold promise for reducing metabolic risk in urban, minority youth.