Is there a need for screening for type 2 diabetes in seventh graders?

PURPOSE: To determine if a screening program for type 2 diabetes in a seventh-grade population is warranted as well as to increase health care providers' awareness of the need for this screening.

DATA SOURCES: We sent a diabetes questionnaire to each participant's parent or guardian. The questionnaire assessed for any family history of diabetes, any currently diagnosed participant with diabetes, and physical activity. Each participant was also assessed for age, ethnicity, gender, and acanthosis nigricans and received a one-time blood pressure reading. The researchers obtained height and weight by utilizing each school's weight/height scale and calculated each participant's body mass index (BMI).

CONCLUSIONS

Overall results determined that there is a need for screening for type 2 diabetes in a seventh-grade population.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The role of the nurse practitioner (NP) is to increase health professionals' and the public's awareness of risk factors related to adolescents and type 2 diabetes by patient education both in areas of health promotion and disease prevention. NP-directed educational programs could include diabetic education in health classes in cooperation with the school nurse and/or health teacher and community-based diabetic forums addressing this topic.