Effect of NNS on Metformin/GDF15, Pilot

This study will enroll 40 children ages 10-21 years (will be recruited from the University of Florida (UF) Pediatric Obesity\& Metabolic clinic in Gainesville) and randomize eligible participants into a 2-arm, 12-week Metformin (500mg BID) intervention (n=20/group) in which one arm will be randomized to receive education and counseling to avoid all sweetened drinks (drink water only) and the other to avoid drinks sweetened with sugar (can have diet drinks sweetened with NNS). Participants will be asked to consume minimum of 3 drinks/day In the initial visit (baseline visit) the investigators will do a complete evaluations of physical health and eating behaviors. The investigators will draw lab work including A1c and GDF15 levels. The investigators will also get anthropometric measurements of height and weight to calculate body mass index (BMI). For assessment of beverage intake, the investigators reviewed questionnaires validated in children and adolescents in the past 10 years to better reflect currently available beverages. The investigators combined data from BEVQ-15 (that was validated in children aged 6-18 years) and BFQ(17 items questionnaire validated in young adults, aged 16-30 years),and edited further to make the important distinction between unsweetened and artificially sweetened drinks while adding several examples to each category to help improve correct selection. The investigators will also limit to weekly intake assessments. Data will be collected biweekly. Following completion of the 12-week intervention, participants will return fasting to assess the effectiveness of the metformin treatment on the following: hemoglobin A1C (A1c), Growth Differentiation Factor 15 (GDF15), with BMI and 24-hour dietary recall, including questions about change in hunger while on metformin. The investigators predict that metformin-induced GDF15 levels will be blunted in participants consuming NNS beverages. To improve compliance and decrease attrition, The investigators will provide performance feedback and interpretation of physiological parameters.

• avoid sugary and NNS drinks plus start Metformin (Behavioral): Subjects will receive education and counseling to avoid all sweetened drinks (drink water only). Participants will be asked to consume minimum of 3 drinks/day
• avoid sugary drinks (allowed water and drinks sweetened with NNS) plus start Metformin (Behavioral): Subjects will avoid drinks sweetened with sugar (can have diet drinks sweetened with NNS). Participants will be asked to consume minimum of 3 drinks/day

Primary outcomes

• change in BMI z-score between the two groups at 12 weeks [12 weeks]: Compare post-intervention (metformin) body weight between participants randomized to receive education and counseling to either a) avoid all sweetened drinks (drink water only) or b) avoid drinks sweetened with sugar (can have diet drinks sweetened with NNS)

Secondary outcomes

• improvement of A1C due to metformin between the 2 groups at 12 weeks [12 weeks]: Compare post-intervention change in glycemic control between participants randomized to receive education and counseling to either a) avoid all sweetened drinks (drink water only) or b) avoid drinks sweetened with sugar (can have diet drinks sweetened with NNS)

Other outcomes

• metformin-induced rise in GDF15 in both groups at 12 weeks [12 weeks]: Compare post-intervention rise in GDF15 between participants randomized to receive education and counseling to either a) avoid all sweetened drinks (drink water only) or b) avoid drinks sweetened with sugar (can have diet drinks sweetened with NNS)

Sex: All, ages: 10 Years to 21 Years

Inclusion Criteria:

* Eligible patients will have already been prescribed Metformin as part of their normal clinical care
* Must also be aged 10-21 years
* Have a diagnosis of obesity (BMI > 95th%ile or >30 kg/m2 - whichever is lower) and pre-diabetes (A1c between 5.7 and 6.4%)

Exclusion Criteria:

* Previous treatment with oral hypoglycemic medications, (2) resting systolic blood pressure (SBP)>180 mm/Hg or diastolic blood pressure (DBP)>100mm/Hg, (3) self-reported pregnancy

• Angelina Bernier, MD, Principal investigator, University of Florida
• Esraa Ismail, MD, Principal investigator, University of Florida