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Type 2 diabetes is increasing among youth, with minority youth at highest risk. This preliminary study tested the feasibility of a school-based program to prevent type 2 diabetes in youth at risk. Forty-one participants (age 12.6 ± 1.1 years; 63% female, 51% African American, 44% Hispanic, and 5% Caucasian) were randomly assigned to one of two groups. Both the experimental and control groups received nutrition education and exercise training. The experimental group also received coping skills training. Data collected included body mass index (BMI), insulin resistance, dietary intake (24-Hour Food Recall), self-efficacy (Health Behavior Questionnaire), activity (Revised Godin-Shepard Activity Survey), and parents' health promoting behaviors (Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile III). At baseline BMI ranged from 27 to 53 (M=36.2 ± 6.0), and 95% (n = 39) demonstrated insulin resistance or pre-diabetes on an oral glucose tolerance test. After 12 months, the experimental group showed trends in improved usual food choices (p = .1) and increased dietary knowledge (p = .3). They also demonstrated lower glucose (p = .07) and insulin levels (p = .2). Experimental group parents demonstrated improved health responsibility (p = .03), healthier nutrition choices (p = .05), improved stress management skills (p = .05), increased activity (p = .2), and increased spirituality (p = .2). Data suggest a school-based program tailored to multiethnic youth may prove successful in helping these youth increase activity, improve nutrition status, and stabilize glucose and insulin metabolism, and also may be effective in changing parent health behavior., Childhood obesity has increased with approximately 30% of youth overweight or obese, with incidence for inner-city youth as high as 50%. (1) Approximately 4.7 million US children aged 6 to [...]

PURPOSE. To review the potential use and application of coping-skills training in teaching adolescents effective ways of managing the stressors related to living with diabetes mellitus. POPULATION. Adolescents ages 13 to 20 with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus who are participating in the research project, 'Nursing Intervention to Implement DCCT Therapy in Youth' at Yale University School of Nursing. CONCLUSIONS. Teaching adolescents with diabetes mellitus to use appropriate coping skills may help them cope with the day-to-day management of the illness and aid in long-term adaptation. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS. Research has suggested that the use of effective coping skills may aid in healthy long-term adaptation to diabetes mellitus. Thus, nurses caring for adolescents with this illness should teach and be role models for these effective coping strategies. Key words: Adolescents, coping skills training, diabetes mellitus, Coping skills training may help teenagers adapt to and manage insulin-dependent diabetes. The ability to cope with stressful events can empower teenagers to successfully control their dietary intake and other self-care needs. Training covers such topics as social problem-solving, communication skills, social skills, assertiveness, and conflict resolution. Training groups can help teenagers share ideas, practice new behaviors and provide and gain support.