Actively Recruiting
DISCOVERY of Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes in Youth
Led by George Washington University · Updated on 2026-05-07
3600
Participants Needed
20
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are studying the unique natural history of blood sugar control, insulin sensitivity, and beta-cell function in obese adolescents at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. This observational study aims to understand how these factors and their causes change as youth transition through puberty, providing important information that could help design future treatments and prevention strategies for youth-onset type 2 diabetes. The study will carefully examine a large group of young people at risk for type 2 diabetes using detailed biochemical, clinical, and psychosocial assessments. Participants aged 8 to 15 years who meet specific criteria related to obesity, puberty stage, and blood sugar levels will be observed over an average of 2.5 years. No treatments or medications are being tested; instead, the study focuses on tracking natural changes and risk factors over time. Throughout the study, participants will undergo regular evaluations to monitor blood sugar control, beta-cell function, insulin sensitivity, and fatty acid metabolism. These measures will be collected along with clinical and psychosocial data to better understand the progression toward type 2 diabetes. The research team will review these outcomes continuously during the study period, aiming to improve knowledge about diabetes risk in youth and inform future care approaches.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
DISCOVERY of Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes in Youth
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Overweight or obesity with BMI at or above the 85th percentile
- Age 8 to 13 years for girls, 9 to 15 years for boys
- Tanner Stage 2, 3, or 4 of puberty
- Elevated HbA1c between 5.5% and 6.4%
You will not qualify if you...
- History of diabetes or HbA1c 6.5% or higher
- Unable or unwilling to provide consent or participate fully
- Conditions that predispose to diabetes or affect puberty progression
- Use of medications affecting glucose metabolism during screening and enrollment
- Prior insulin treatment
- Use or planned use of GLP-1 receptor agonists or weight loss medications within 6 weeks before enrollment
- Use or planned use of metformin or glucose-lowering drugs for reasons other than diabetes within 6 weeks before enrollment
- Known syndromic or monogenic obesity
- Blood disorders affecting HbA1c (e.g., anemia, hemoglobin variants)
- Major systemic organ disease
- History of or planned bariatric surgery
- Current or planned pregnancy
- Use of GnRH agonist, estrogen, or testosterone
- Non-English or non-Spanish speakers due to questionnaire validation
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - Approximately 2.5 years
Participants are extensively assessed through biochemical, clinical, and psychosocial measures as they transition through puberty to characterize risk factors and progression toward type 2 diabetes.
Regular visits scheduled throughout the study period
Trial Site Locations
Total: 20 locations
1
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama, United States, 35294
Actively Recruiting
2
Arizona State University
Phoenix, Arizona, United States, 85004
Actively Recruiting
3
Phoenix Children's
Phoenix, Arizona, United States, 85006
Actively Recruiting
4
Children's Hospital Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California, United States, 90027
Actively Recruiting
5
Children's Hospital Colorado
Aurora, Colorado, United States, 80045
Actively Recruiting
6
Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital
St. Petersburg, Florida, United States, 33701
Actively Recruiting
7
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Baltimore, Maryland, United States, 21287
Actively Recruiting
8
Boston Children's/Joslin Diabetes Center/Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02215
Actively Recruiting
9
Colorado Navajo Nation
Shiprock, New Mexico, United States, 87420
Actively Recruiting
10
NYU Langone Health- Brooklyn
Brooklyn, New York, United States, 11220
Actively Recruiting
11
NYU Langone Health- Long Island
Garden City, New York, United States, 11530
Actively Recruiting
12
NYU Langone Health- Manhattan
New York, New York, United States, 10016
Actively Recruiting
13
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
The Bronx, New York, United States, 10461
Actively Recruiting
14
Atrium Health
Charlotte, North Carolina, United States, 28207
Actively Recruiting
15
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States, 27157
Actively Recruiting
16
Cincinnati Children's Hospital
Cincinnati, Ohio, United States, 45229
Actively Recruiting
17
Nationwide Children's Hospital
Columbus, Ohio, United States, 43205
Actively Recruiting
18
The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States, 73104
Actively Recruiting
19
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, 19104
Actively Recruiting
20
Baylor College of Medicine / Texas Children's
Houston, Texas, United States, 77030
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
B
Barbara Braffett, PhD
B
Brian Burke, MS
How is the study designed?
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Masking
N/A
Allocation
N/A
Model
N/A
Primary Purpose
N/A
Number of Arms
0
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