CHILDREN'S HEALTH AND NATURAL GROWTH EVALUATION STUDY (CHANGES)

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This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. The Child Health and Natural Growth Evaluation Study (CHANGES) examines the natural time course of total body fat and visceral fat (fat located around the organs within the abdominal cavity) accumulation through middle childhood among already overweight youth. Visceral fat is considered the most harmful type of body fat distribution in adults, but it is unclear how, when, or why children accumulate this type of fat. This study seeks to identify specific developmental periods of relatively high and low intra-abdominal fat accumulation, and to evaluate potential hormonal (e.g., leptin, insulin) and behavioral (e.g., physical activity, dietary components) factors and consequences of children's changing body fat distribution. This is a 2-year prospective study being conducted among 36 overweight children who started participation at age 8. Assessments occur every six months and consistent of measurement of total body fat, body fat distribution, weight- and development-related hormones, and weight-related behaviors.