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BIDDEFORD, Maine

Թϱ childhood obesity study featured in the ‘Courier’

Paul Visich
The study was spearheaded by Paul Visich

Researchers in the Թϱ Exercise and Sport Performance Department are studying how various factors, including obesity, influence cardiovascular disease in children.

The Cardiovascular Health Intervention Program, spearheaded by department chair Paul Visich, Ph.D., M.P.H., ACSM C-CEP, was the focus of a report in the Courier. Visich and students from the department worked to conduct a number of tests on local children to assess their risks for cardiovascular disease with the goal of better understanding those risks and developing more education for kids and families.  

“Risk of diabetes is going up as people gain weight,” Visich said. “People are developing impaired glucose tolerance. Diabetes is caused by the rise in obesity. We’ve seen a rise in diabetes like we’ve never seen before. Children are developing metabolic syndrome at earlier age, caused by numerous risk factors. There are a lot of issues obesity is creating, and risk of cardiovascular disease is one.”

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The Թϱ is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of . In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.