Statement on NIH Research on Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes by
Allen M. Spiegel, M.D., Director, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive
and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) and Elizabeth G. Nabel, M.D., Director, National
Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Obesity and type 2 diabetes have become major public health problems in this
country. Less than half of American adults are at a healthy weight. Approximately
one-third of American adults are obese and an additional one-third are overweight
and at risk for becoming obese. Alarmingly, approximately 16 percent of children
and teens ages six to 19 are also overweight. Overweight and obesity increase
the risk of developing numerous serious health problems, including heart disease
and type 2 diabetes. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes has increased with the
national increase in overweight and obesity. Approximately 20.8 million people — 7
percent of the United States population — have diabetes. In this month’s Nature
Medicine special feature on the metabolic syndrome, we discuss the NIH research
portfolio on obesity and type 2 diabetes.*
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is committed to the continued support
of innovative and collaborative research on obesity and its concomitant health
problems. Recognizing the urgent need for increased action to counter the problem
of obesity in this country, Elias A. Zerhouni, M.D., Director of the NIH, established
the NIH Obesity Research Task Force in April 2003. In 2004, the Task Force, co-led
by NIDDK and NHLBI, developed and published the Strategic Plan for NIH Obesity
Research, with critical input from external scientists and the public. The
Strategic Plan is a guide for coordinating obesity research across the NIH and
for enhancing research in areas of greatest scientific opportunity.**
The discovery of the appetite-controlling hormone leptin in 1994 led to an explosion
of research discoveries elucidating the metabolic and neurobiological mechanisms
that regulate appetite, energy expenditure, and energy storage. Today, the NIH
continues to support an expansive basic research portfolio on obesity and type
2 diabetes. Among this research are animal and human genetic and developmental
studies, and research on nuclear receptors (one of which is already a target
for diabetes treatment). In addition, NIH is pursuing research into how the intrauterine
environment of a mother who is obese or has type 2 diabetes impacts the later
development of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease in her children.
The NIH also supports clinical research — from small pilot studies to
large clinical trials. NIH-supported scientists are investigating many approaches
to obesity and type 2 diabetes intervention, including trials to test medications
and lifestyle interventions for prevention and treatment. They are testing therapies
and interventions in children and adults, and in different racial and ethnic
groups.
Other epidemiological and long-term observational studies, such as the Framingham
Heart Study, give insights into the risk factors for and other aspects of obesity,
type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. The information gleaned from this
research will help inform future clinical endeavors and, along with the results
of clinical studies, provide a scientific evidence base for public policy decisions.
In addition, the NIH supports several national education campaigns to encourage
those at risk to take steps to prevent these conditions. For example, in June
2005 NIH launched We Can! (Ways to Enhance Children’s Activity & Nutrition!),
a national public education program targeting parents and caregivers of children
ages 8 to 13. The program was developed by NHLBI and is promoted in collaboration
with several other NIH institutes, national health and youth organizations, and
community-based groups. We Can! provides resources to encourage healthy
eating, increase physical activity, and reduce sedentary time. More information
on We Can! is available at http://wecan.nhlbi.nih.gov.
To achieve the results necessary to bring about changes, the NIH encourages
interdisciplinary research and collaboration among basic and clinical investigators.
Current efforts focus on bridging the disciplines of biologic and behavioral
research and fostering partnerships among basic and clinical scientists. Through
this expansive and comprehensive research portfolio, the NIH is working to improve
public health.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) — The Nation's Medical Research
Agency — includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of
the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is the primary Federal
agency for conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical
research, and it investigates the causes, treatments, and cures for both common
and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit http://www.nih.gov. |