Overweight Hispanic kids prone to diabetes

Boston -- A U.S.-led study suggests some overweight Hispanic children with normal blood glucose levels might be predisposed to type 2 diabetes.

The Joslin Diabetes Center-led scientists found such overweight Hispanic children also had elevated markers for blood vessel inflammation and might be at risk for development of both type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

The study, led by Dr. A. Enrique Caballero, is said to be the first to focus on Hispanic children, already known to be at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes as a result of both genetic and lifestyle factors.

"We have found that overweight Hispanic children and adolescents have elevated markers of endothelial dysfunction and vascular inflammation closely related to excess body fat and increased insulin resistance," the researchers said. "This … may increase their risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease …"

Caballero stressed the findings do not mean that such children will definitely develop type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular problems, but he said the idea is to step in early to make sure they don't.

The research that included scientists from the Fluminense Federal University in Brazil is reported in the March issue of the journal Diabetes Care.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International.