Sugar war
Because 10 to 15 percent of American children and teens are overweight—about double the number from 20 years ago—increasing numbers are also developing diabetes. And while no ethnic group is immune, African Americans appear disproportionately affected.
Now, Penn School of Nursing faculty and students in the school's nurse practitioner program are partnering with Sayre High School students to help stem the growing epidemic. Through this Penn effort, children in this West Philadelphia high school's after-school program are evaluated, given nutrition education and taught the importance of physical activity. Sayre health-education students also learn about diabetes risk factor assessment and accurate growth. Last year, more than a third of the children assessed through the program were identified as being at risk for developing Type 2 diabetes.
"Obesity and Type 2 diabetes disproportionately affects minority, urban populations," says Penn Nursing professor Terri Lipman. "Our goal is to implement culturally appropriate assessments and interventions."
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