Research

Fida Bacha Lab Projects

Master
Content

DISCOVERY of Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes in Youth
Project Goals: Type 2 diabetes used to be known as “adult-onset” diabetes and was thought to mostly affect people later in life. Now, more children are being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Rates of type 2 diabetes among children and adolescents are increasing rapidly over time. Currently, we do not understand why rates of type 2 diabetes is increasing in children. The DISCOVERY Study seeks to understand what factors cause some children to develop type 2 diabetes while others don’t.

DISCOVERY is a study for children 9-14 years old who may be at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. This study does not involve medications and there is no cost to you. You will be compensated for your time in this study. Join families across the US to help us make a difference for all children and young people!

Visit the study web site.

Type 2 Diabetes and Bone Health in Youth
Project Goals: This study aims to investigate prospectively the effect of hyperglycemia on bone accrual, quality and strength in youth onset type 2 diabetes (T2D) compared with obese controls with normal glucose tolerance; and to identify the hormonal and biochemical determinants of bone accrual and strength in youth onset T2D.

Bone Health and Metabolism in Youth with Obesity 
Project 1 Goals: This study evaluates the effects of childhood obesity on bone formation and strength (bone microarchitecture) and the relationship of bone hormones to insulin sensitivity and vascular function.
Project 2 Goals: Investigate the interaction between childhood adiposity, insulin resistance and adipokine imbalance on bone health in Hispanic youth across pubertal stages and the modifying effect of physical activity.

Advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs), oxidation products and the soluble receptor for AGE (sRAGE): Cardiovascular Disease Risk Biomarkers in Youth with Type 2 Diabetes.
Project Goals: This study aims to investigate the role of the advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs), oxidation products, and the soluble receptor for AGEs (sRAGE) as biomarkers of microvascular and macrovascular disease in youth with type 2 diabetes.

Understanding and Targeting the Pathophysiology of Youth-onset Type 2 Diabetes 
Project Goals: 1) To develop more precise prediction of risk of youth-onset type 2 diabetes (T2D); and 2) To understand of the physiologic drivers of youth T2D, to guide development of more effective therapeutic and prevention strategies.