Journal of Obesity & Weight Loss Therapy
Open Access

Abstract

In the United States, childhood obesity has been a growing epidemic with, 1/3 of US children considered overweight or obese. This increased number can be linked to several factors including nutrition and social economic status. Households that do not have access to healthy, nutritious foods are significantly more likely to be obese earlier in life. Obesity in children can lead to numerous health complications such as diabetes, high blood pressure, chronic inflammation and carcinogenesis. African American is more likely to be diagnosed and die from some forms of cancer. Therefore, eliminating or reducing preventable risk factors such as unhealthy nutrition and childhood obesity could have important implications for reducing clinical manifestations of adult cancer outcomes. Areas of South Carolina, such as the I-95 Corridor, have a long history of being under-developed which contribute to numerous problems such as obesity, poverty and sub-par health care. We have enrolled SC children from varying degrees of rurality to determine if obesity and/or high-fat pro-inflammatory diets contribute to increased levels of pro-inflammatory markers and obesity related genes to include: Adiponectin, leptin, SAA1 /2, Interleukin 1 and 6. Subjects will be randomized into obese and non-obese groups based on BMI guidelines. The transcriptional levels of pro-inflammatory genes will be measured by quantitative RT-PCR. Reducing childhood obesity and pro-inflammatory diets are beneficial in the reduction of cancer risk and will serve as preventive measures for early-stage onset of adult cancers. Data analysis on the limited sample set is ongoing. Results will be presented during the conference.

Biography

Ashley E Knowell is investigating the role of childhood obesity as a risk factor for adult cancers. The ultimate goal of the project is to provide families with the necessary tools and information to establish healthy nutritional habits; reduce childhood obesity and; ultimately reduce adult cancer risk among South Carolinian children. Her research interests also include tumor suppressors, cell death and the development, progression, and treatment of cancer in African-Americans and South Carolinians. She completed her Graduation from Clark Atlanta University. Shanora Brown has actively been involved in the study of prostate cancer, molecular mechanisms of tumor progression as well a genetic factors contributing to the disparities in cancer among diverse populations. Her current research focus is investigating and understanding the link between nutrition and childhood obesity as a risk factor for adult carcinogenesis in South Carolinian children. Ultimately, eliminating or reducing preventable risk factors such as unhealthy nutrition and childhood obesity could have important implications for reducing clinical manifestations of adult cancers, such as breast and prostate.
Email:aevans10@scsu.edu