311 Exploring the relationship between community sports participation and diabetes risk factors in youth

Objectives/Goals: Youth-onset diabetes and its risk factors are increasing in ethnic and racial minority communities. Our mixed-methods study aimed to explore the associations between participation in a community youth sports program and key diabetes risk factors in youth, including mental health, p...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Leesi George-Komi, Frank Dolecki, Eric Hoe, Eric An, Leah E. Robinson
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Cambridge University Press 2025-04-01
Series:Journal of Clinical and Translational Science
Online Access:https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2059866124009439/type/journal_article
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850097795096117248
author Leesi George-Komi
Frank Dolecki
Eric Hoe
Eric An
Leah E. Robinson
author_facet Leesi George-Komi
Frank Dolecki
Eric Hoe
Eric An
Leah E. Robinson
author_sort Leesi George-Komi
collection DOAJ
description Objectives/Goals: Youth-onset diabetes and its risk factors are increasing in ethnic and racial minority communities. Our mixed-methods study aimed to explore the associations between participation in a community youth sports program and key diabetes risk factors in youth, including mental health, physical activity, nutrition, and weight status. Methods/Study Population: We used a single cohort, mixed-methods design focused on the Community Leadership Revolution (CLR) Academy, a local youth sports program. Participants, ethnic and racial minority youth ages 5–14, were recruited to assess their mental health, physical activity, and nutrition using validated and reliable questionnaires. Weight status was measured via bioelectrical impedance. Group interviews with youth and individual interviews with staff provided context for the quantitative results. A thematic analysis of the qualitative data will further explore how CLR Academy may impact diabetes risk factors. Results/Anticipated Results: We recruited 24 CLR participants (16 boys/8 girls) and 4 CLR staff (3 males/1 female). Sixteen youth identified as African-American, while the rest identified as multiracial. Correlations revealed that higher attendance at CLR Academy was negatively associated with mental health scores, specifically total, externalizing, and hyperactive scores (all p < 0.01). Higher CLR attendance was negatively associated with physical activity during spare time (p < 0.05), waist circumference (p< 0.05), and waist-to-height ratio (p < 0.01). Being a girl was associated with lower diet quality and physical activity (both p < 0.05). Qualitative data highlighted life skills and supportive relationships in CLR as key factors in improving health outcomes. Thematic analysis is ongoing to clarify these relationships. Discussion/Significance of Impact: This study highlights how participation in programs like CLR Academy may improve ethnic and racial minority youth diabetes risk factors. Staff and participant insights on mechanisms driving these health improvements may offer strategies that can be applied to similar programs focused on reducing marginalized youth’s diabetes risk.
format Article
id doaj-art-5de5db6249fb40f6bc34ac0bb84d41a9
institution DOAJ
issn 2059-8661
language English
publishDate 2025-04-01
publisher Cambridge University Press
record_format Article
series Journal of Clinical and Translational Science
spelling doaj-art-5de5db6249fb40f6bc34ac0bb84d41a92025-08-20T02:40:52ZengCambridge University PressJournal of Clinical and Translational Science2059-86612025-04-019959510.1017/cts.2024.943311 Exploring the relationship between community sports participation and diabetes risk factors in youthLeesi George-Komi0Frank Dolecki1Eric Hoe2Eric An3Leah E. Robinson4University of MichiganUniversity of MichiganUniversity of MichiganUniversity of MichiganUniversity of MichiganObjectives/Goals: Youth-onset diabetes and its risk factors are increasing in ethnic and racial minority communities. Our mixed-methods study aimed to explore the associations between participation in a community youth sports program and key diabetes risk factors in youth, including mental health, physical activity, nutrition, and weight status. Methods/Study Population: We used a single cohort, mixed-methods design focused on the Community Leadership Revolution (CLR) Academy, a local youth sports program. Participants, ethnic and racial minority youth ages 5–14, were recruited to assess their mental health, physical activity, and nutrition using validated and reliable questionnaires. Weight status was measured via bioelectrical impedance. Group interviews with youth and individual interviews with staff provided context for the quantitative results. A thematic analysis of the qualitative data will further explore how CLR Academy may impact diabetes risk factors. Results/Anticipated Results: We recruited 24 CLR participants (16 boys/8 girls) and 4 CLR staff (3 males/1 female). Sixteen youth identified as African-American, while the rest identified as multiracial. Correlations revealed that higher attendance at CLR Academy was negatively associated with mental health scores, specifically total, externalizing, and hyperactive scores (all p < 0.01). Higher CLR attendance was negatively associated with physical activity during spare time (p < 0.05), waist circumference (p< 0.05), and waist-to-height ratio (p < 0.01). Being a girl was associated with lower diet quality and physical activity (both p < 0.05). Qualitative data highlighted life skills and supportive relationships in CLR as key factors in improving health outcomes. Thematic analysis is ongoing to clarify these relationships. Discussion/Significance of Impact: This study highlights how participation in programs like CLR Academy may improve ethnic and racial minority youth diabetes risk factors. Staff and participant insights on mechanisms driving these health improvements may offer strategies that can be applied to similar programs focused on reducing marginalized youth’s diabetes risk.https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2059866124009439/type/journal_article
spellingShingle Leesi George-Komi
Frank Dolecki
Eric Hoe
Eric An
Leah E. Robinson
311 Exploring the relationship between community sports participation and diabetes risk factors in youth
Journal of Clinical and Translational Science
title 311 Exploring the relationship between community sports participation and diabetes risk factors in youth
title_full 311 Exploring the relationship between community sports participation and diabetes risk factors in youth
title_fullStr 311 Exploring the relationship between community sports participation and diabetes risk factors in youth
title_full_unstemmed 311 Exploring the relationship between community sports participation and diabetes risk factors in youth
title_short 311 Exploring the relationship between community sports participation and diabetes risk factors in youth
title_sort 311 exploring the relationship between community sports participation and diabetes risk factors in youth
url https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2059866124009439/type/journal_article
work_keys_str_mv AT leesigeorgekomi 311exploringtherelationshipbetweencommunitysportsparticipationanddiabetesriskfactorsinyouth
AT frankdolecki 311exploringtherelationshipbetweencommunitysportsparticipationanddiabetesriskfactorsinyouth
AT erichoe 311exploringtherelationshipbetweencommunitysportsparticipationanddiabetesriskfactorsinyouth
AT erican 311exploringtherelationshipbetweencommunitysportsparticipationanddiabetesriskfactorsinyouth
AT leaherobinson 311exploringtherelationshipbetweencommunitysportsparticipationanddiabetesriskfactorsinyouth