
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is planning to conduct a fully sponsored study, in which hundreds of school children of the 6th grade from 42 middle schools are to take part to determine as to how the risk of diabetes could be reduced in the youth.
It was explained that the study would determine as to whether changes in school food services and physical education (PE) classes, along with activities, which encourage healthy behaviours, might reduce the risk of type II diabetes, which is now a days becoming increasingly common as a disease in the youth.
Elias A. Zerhouni, M.D, the director of NIH said, "The alarming rise in obesity and type II diabetes in all age groups poses a major public health crisis for this country. This important study is one component of a multi-faceted research agenda to address this dual epidemic, which threatens the health of our youth and the vitality of our health care system."
After 2.5 years, all students will be tested for diabetes risk factors, including blood levels of glucose, insulin, and lipids. They will also be measured for fitness level, blood pressure, height, weight, and waist circumference.