Development of the iCook 4-H Curriculum for Youth and Adults: Cooking, Eating, and Playing Together for Childhood Obesity Prevention

The objective was to describe the development process of a curriculum (iCook 4-H) targeted to low-income, rural, and/or diverse youths and their adult primary meal preparer to promote cooking, eating, and playing together. Lessons learned highlighted the importance of grounding the curriculum in Social Cognitive Theory and applying the experiential 4-H learning model using a multiphased, community-based participatory approach with cyclical development and evaluation, and key modifications made for dissemination and distribution. Findings across 4 testing phases over 6 years and 5 states demonstrated the time-intensive, cyclical process that required flexibility with fidelity to form a hands-on, interactive curriculum

Type 2 diabetes – an autoinflammatory disease driven by metabolic stress

Type 2 diabetes has traditionally been viewed as a metabolic disorder characterised by chronic high glucose levels, insulin resistance, and declining insulin secretion from the pancreas. Modern lifestyle, with abundant nutrient supply and reduced physical activity, has resulted in dramatic increases in the rates of obesity-associated disease conditions, including diabetes. The associated excess of nutrients induces a state of systemic low-grade chronic inflammation that results from production and secretion of inflammatory mediators from the expanded pool of activated adipocytes. Here, we review the mechanisms by which obesity induces adipose tissue dysregulation, detailing the roles of adipose tissue secreted factors and their action upon other cells and tissues central to glucose homeostasis and type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, given the emerging importance of adipokines, cytokines and chemokines in disease progression, we suggest that type 2 diabetes should now be viewed as an autoinflammatory disease, albeit one that is driven by metabolic dysregulation

Making a Difference at Sisseton Middle School

The Sisseton Middle School (Sisseton School District 54-2) was one of the first pilot sites in the state of South Dakota for the implementation of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) in 2007-08. Sisseton Middle School represents rural schools with a diverse population in the state of South Dakota as well as across the country. As a South Dakota PBIS site, the objective of this research is to determine if the Sisseton Middle School has proactive strategies for defining, teaching, and supporting students\u27 behaviors that create a positive school climate. Data used in this research was obtained from the Sisseton Middle School in the following ways: 1) PBIS data entries; 2) focus group interviews; and 3) interviews with the middle school principal; 4) school newsletter; and 5) school board report