Journal of Obesity & Weight Loss Therapy
Open Access

Abstract

Childhood obesity is a known risk factor for the eventual development of Type II Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), with increases in weight leading to decreased insulin sensitivity. Lifestyle modifications have been the standard for interventions for obese children; however, some trials have suggested that metformin is helpful in reducing BMI and fasting glucose levels in this population. This review selected studies comparing interventions for obese youth at-risk for developing T2DM. Literature searches were conducted in MEDLINE for studies conducted between January, 2001 and January, 2016. Manual searches of reference lists of selected studies were also conducted. Inclusion criteria were the use of a control group, post-intervention follow-up at six months or more, and interventions that included some combination of metformin and structured lifestyle modifications. The twenty included studies examined the effects of metformin and lifestyle modification on fasting glucose, insulin sensitivity, HbA1c, and BMI in youth age 6-19. Of these articles, sixteen identified a statistically significant decrease in BMI with metformin and lifestyle modifications, while fourteen detected a significant decrease in fasting glucose, HbA1c, or other insulin sensitivity indices. With childhood obesity is playing an important role in the development of T2DM, it is imperative that healthcare providers structure more successful treatment plans. Over 70% of studies in this review conclude that metformin, in combination with diet and exercise modifications, is superior to either approach alone in the reduction of BMI, HbA1c, and other insulin sensitivity indices. Therefore, metformin is a valuable adjunct to lifestyle changes in order to maximize treatment effectiveness.

Biography

Email: demoridriver@yahoo.com