Reach In! Reach Out! Chicago Children Diabetes Prevention Program

About Us

Program

Reach In! Reach Out! Chicago Children’s Diabetes Prevention Program is a fun and family-oriented research study program designed to lower the risk of type 2 diabetes in overweight young people, ages 9-12. The program primarily serves the African American community throughout the Chicagoland area. Funded by the National Institute of Health, the program is run by faculty and staff at the University of Chicago, Department of Medicine, Section of General Internal Medicine and takes place in the surrounding Hyde Park area. This program is free.

What’s Involved

Reach In! Reach Out! is a small-group, interactive program where children and their families work together to learn about good nutrition and exercise. Families learn fun ways to include nutrition and exercise in their lifestyles during the long-term. Sessions may include the following

Yoga
Cooking
Dance
Karate

The program provides families with the skills they need to get moving towards a healthier lifestyle, and again it's’ free! Parents and kids work together equally learning in a fun and educational way while sharing their experiences with the other families in a supportive environment.

In a fun setting, families learn how to:

Make healthy food choices
Be physically active
Manage your weight
Increase your energy
Individualize nutrition and exercise goals

Click Here to Meet the Team...

Potential Benefits

When a family becomes more active and improves their nutrition habits, some benefits may include:

More energy during the day
Better sleep at night
Enhanced school or work performance

Also, maintaining these habits can result in:

Better heart health
Improved weight
Increased strength
More stamina
Lower risk for developing type 2 diabetes

In addition, all participants have access to team partners including a registered dietitian, physical therapists, and behavioral health psychologist (specializing in weight control).

Program sessions are held on a weekly to monthly basis at a convenient time for you and your child. Families are compensated for their time and participation in this research study.

Study Visits
As part of the study, children and parents participate in four study visits over two years and receive the results of the lab visits in order to track progress. Labs reported include: cholesterol, glucose control, body fat composition, weight, height, and body mass index. You receive these results at no cost. In addition, families are compensated $100 for each of the four study visits.

Requirements to Participate

African American
9-12 years
Family history of diabetes
At risk for obesity and diabetes