The candidate's overarching goal is to develop diet interventions to address pediatric obesity that are specifically tailored to an individual's metabolic profile. Her specific interest is the interaction of diet quality with the changes in insulin secretion and action that occur during the pubertal transition. To achieve this objective, the candidate has identified, as a mentoring team, experts in reproductive/metabolic endocrinology and statistical genetics, both of whom have a proven track record of successful research, collaboration, and productivity. The mentored training secured by this award will involve coursework in genetics, metabolism, and endocrinology;training in laboratory skills;and completion of the candidate's funded pilot study involving a diet intervention in African American peripubertal girls. As the coursework and training progress, there is a planned transition to developing a research protocol, and training in the skills needed for its conduct. Emphasis also will be on cultivation of funding opportunities for future projects. The candidate's proposed research project builds on her previous and ongoing research in adults and children, which has identified dietary factors that affect insulin secretion and obesity. Specifically, the proposed study aims to determine if a diet specialized for the unique metabolic characteristics of peripubertal girls (i.e. low insulin sensitivity/high insulin secretion) is more effective than a standard diet in, 1) decreasing insulin secretion and increasing insulin sensitivity;2) achieving greater weight loss and weight-loss maintenance;and 3) decreasing estradiol concentration, which may affect fat deposition during the pubertal transition. The specialized diet emphasizes modification of diet quality, particularly carbohydrate quantity/quality. The ultimate goal of this project, and related future research, is to develop dietary guidelines for overweight adolescents tailored to their individual metabolic profile. Effective modification of the diet to improve metabolic and obesity-related outcomes will reduce reliance on pharmacological agents. The outstanding scientific environment afforded by the DAB will allow for continued professional growth and development. Further, th K99 will be the perfect opportunity for the to transition into an independent investigator in the area of pediatric obesity.

Public Health Relevance

Dietary interventions that can be utilized to improve metabolic outcomes and enhance weight-loss and weight-loss maintenance among the pediatric population are imperative. Puberty has been identified as a critical period of body composition determination. Training afforded by this K99 award will better position the candidate to complete the proposed study, which represents the first step in developing a diet that is specific for the unique metabolic characteristics of peripubertal girls.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Research Transition Award (R00)
Project #
5R00DK083333-04
Application #
8318599
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (NSS)
Program Officer
Linder, Barbara
Project Start
2011-08-11
Project End
2014-05-31
Budget Start
2012-06-01
Budget End
2013-05-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
$243,394
Indirect Cost
$77,255
Name
University of Alabama Birmingham
Department
Nutrition
Type
Schools of Allied Health Profes
DUNS #
063690705
City
Birmingham
State
AL
Country
United States
Zip Code
35294
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Dulin-Keita, Akilah; Clay, Olivio; Whittaker, Shannon et al. (2015) The influence of HOPE VI neighborhood revitalization on neighborhood-based physical activity: A mixed-methods approach. Soc Sci Med 139:90-9
Keita, Akilah Dulin; Judd, Suzanne E; Howard, Virginia J et al. (2014) Associations of neighborhood area level deprivation with the metabolic syndrome and inflammation among middle- and older- age adults. BMC Public Health 14:1319
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Dulin-Keita, Akilah; Kaur Thind, Herpreet; Affuso, Olivia et al. (2013) The associations of perceived neighborhood disorder and physical activity with obesity among African American adolescents. BMC Public Health 13:440
Casazza, Krista; Hanks, Lynae J; Clines, Gregory A et al. (2013) Diabetes-related impairment in bone strength is established early in the life course. World J Diabetes 4:145-50

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