| Publications :: | Professor
of Pediatrics Division of Pediatric Endocrinology/Metabolism 
Dr. Burghen has been an active pediatric diabetes investigator for
more than 20 years. Obesity is a national health problem of the highest
urgency. The overwhelming majority of obese adults had their excessive
weight gain begin during childhood. In all age groups, obesity has
been associated with several chronic conditions, including type 2
diabetes mellitus (T2D), hypertension (HTN) and increased risk for
cardiovascular disease (CVD). It has been suggested that African-Americans
(AA) have a higher risk for obesity, T2D and CVD in all ages. Obesity
and associated co-morbidities are very costly conditions in the United
States. Efforts for a successful prevention or early intervention
are very cost-effective. The purpose of this pilot study is to determine
if an intensive lifestyle intervention program (ILSI) will be successful
in controlling weight and decreasing risk factors for T2D and CVD.
Fifty AA children 11-16 years of age will be recruited and randomized
to either intensive lifestyle intervention group (I ILSI) or intervention
comparison group (ICG). The ILSI group will undergo an intensive approach,
including nutritional and behavioral management, exercise, and a strong
family education component. The ICG will receive the conventional
standard of care, including dietary and exercise counseling on a regular
clinical basis once a month. All children will undergo complete clinical,
nutritional, cardiovascular, and metabolic evaluation at baseline
and after the intervention. Dr. Burghen will determine if ILSI leads
to decreased BMI and reduced risk factors for T2D and CVD. This study
will also enhance the understanding of the natural history and pathogenesis
of obesity, T2D and CVD in AA children. If Dr. Burghen’s intervention
proves to have a beneficial impact on the above-named conditions,
these results can be immediately extrapolated into practical clinical
venues with relatively low cost. |
Lustig RH, Post SR, Srivannaboon K, Rose SR, Danish RK, Burghen GA, Xiong X, S, Merchant TE. Risk factors for the development of obesity in children surviving brain tumors. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 88:611-6, 2003. Velasquez-Mieyer PA, Umpierez GE, Lustig RH, Cashion AK, Cowan PA, Burghen GA. Racial differ-ences in glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1)
concentra-tions and insulin dynamics during oral glucose tol-erance
test in obese subjects. International Journal of Obesity 27:1359-1364,
2003. Rose SR, Schreiber RE, Kearney NS, Lustig RH, Danish RK, Burghen GA, Hudson MM. Hypothalamic dysfunction after chemotherapy. J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab 2004 17(1):55-66 Burghen GA. Prevention and treatment of obesity, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes in children and adolescents (Editorial). Diabetes Spectrum 2005; 18(4):210-212 Burghen GA. Prevention and treatment of obesity, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes in children and adolescents (Editorial). Diabetes Spectrum 2005; 18(4):210-212 Stender SRS, Burghen GA, Mallare JT. The role of health care providers in prevention of overweight and type 2 diabetes in children and adolescents. Diabetes Spectrum 2005; 18(4):240-248 Rose S, Danish R, Kearney N, Schreiber R, Lustig R, Burghen G, Hudson M. ACTH deficiency in childhood cancer survivors. Pediatr Blood Cancer, 2005; 45(6):808-813 |