Low-Carb Diets for Children Under Study at Cincinnati Children's
A study underway at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center will determine whether the Atkins diet is effective in obese adolescents under the supervision of primary care physicians.
With a $174,000 grant from the Robert C. Atkins Foundation, physicians will study a low carbohydrate diet in 70 obese adolescents. The children will be seen at regular intervals by a dietician and pediatrician. A lipid profile will be taken and their dietary intake and physical activity monitored.
In addition, a urine ketone test will be administered to determine the presence or absence of these acids in urine. Ketones are the end product of rapid or excessive fatty acid breakdown.
"More than 20 percent of American children are obese," says Robert Siegel, MD, medical director of the Cincinnati Pediatric Research Group (CPRG), a network of practice-based pediatricians in the Cincinnati area. CPRG is affiliated with and supported by Cincinnati Children's division of General and Community Pediatrics.
"Obesity is a major health problem, as these children often become obese adults and face the risk of coronary artery disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes and a shortened life span," adds Dr. Siegel.
Preliminary studies in children have shown that low carbohydrate diets are safe and effective, although they should not be undertaken in children and adolescents unless under the supervision of a physician, according to Dr. Siegel. There are questions about how best to implement low carbohydrate diets to ensure their success. The study will take place at 20 pediatric practices in the Cincinnati area that are CPRG members.
The low carbohydrate diet is one in which total calories are not restricted, but the intake of carbohydrates is limited to 50 grams a day. The lowest carbohydrate intake considered for the study is 20 grams a day for two weeks.
Another study set to begin this fall will examine the safety and effectiveness of three different diets, one of which is a low-carb diet, for the management of obesity in children. The goal of this study is to learn which dietary approach works best in helping overweight 7- to 12-year-old boys and girls reach a healthier weight. The study will be conducted by Shelley Kirk, PhD, director of HealthWorks!, an intervention program at Cincinnati Children's for overweight children and adolescents that is designed to meet the comprehensive needs of overweight youths and their families.
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Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center is a 423-bed institution devoted to bringing the world the joy of healthier kids. Cincinnati Children's is dedicated to transforming the way health care is delivered by providing care that is timely, efficient, effective, patient-centered, equitable and safe. It ranks third nationally among all pediatric centers in research grants from the National Institutes of Health. The Cincinnati Children's vision is to be the leader in improving child health. Additional information can be found at www.cincinnatichildrens.org.
Contact Information
Jim Feuer, 513-636-4656,
jim.feuer@cchmc.org
