Chronic Disease Epidemiology Lab || Pennington Biomedical Research Center

Our Research

The Chronic Disease Epidemiology Laboratory was established in January 2009. We have collaborations in several large-scale epidemiological studies and clinical trials, including the SWIFT study (Study of Women, Infant Feeding and Type 2 Diabetes After GDM Pregnancy), the LEAD cohort study (Louisiana Experiment Assessing Diabetes outcomes), Tianjin Gestational Diabetes Prevention Program, Tianjin Gestational Diabetes Observational Study, the Louisiana State University Hospital-based Longitudinal Study (LSUHLS), the FINRISK (also called FINMONICA) Study, and Tianjin Birth Cohort.

Biomarker of Pancreatic β-cell Loss Predicting Progression to Type 2 Diabetes After Gestational Diabetes

This project will measure unmethylated INS DNA among women after GDM delivery to evaluate associations and predictive ability for new onset type 2 diabetes. This proejct is supported by the NIDDK under Award Number R01DK132011.

The LEAD cohort study (Louisiana Experiment Assessing Diabetes outcomes)

Data on patients with type 2 diabetes in the LEAD cohort study were obtained through the Research Action for Health Network (REACHnet). The dataset included electronic health record data for the study cohort between 2013 and 2020. This project is supported by Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI).

Selected Publications

Shen Y, Shi L, Nauman E, Katzmarzyk PT, Price-Haywood EG, Bazzano AN, Nigam S, Hu G. Inverse association between high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and stroke risk among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Stroke 2019; 50: 291-297.

Shen Y, Shi L, Nauman E, Katzmarzyk PT, Price-Haywood EG, Yin P, Bazzano AN, Nigam S, Hu G. Race and sex differences in rates of diabetic complications. Journal of Diabetes 2019; 11: 449-456.

Fan Y, Shen Y, Zhou J, Shi L, Nauman E, Katzmarzyk PT, Price-Haywood EG, Horswell R, Chu S, Yang S, Bazzano AN, Hu G. Visit-to-visit hemoglobin A1c variability is associated with the risk of lower extremity amputation in patients with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care 2020; 43: e178-180.

Shen Y, Shi L, Nauman E, Katzmarzyk PT, Price-Haywood EG, Bazzano AN, Nigam S, Hu G. Association between hemoglobin A1c and stroke risk in patients with type 2 diabetes. Journal of Stroke 2020; 22: 87-98.

Shen Y, Zhou J, Shi L, Nauman E, Katzmarzyk PT, Price-Haywood EG, Horswell R, Chu S, Yang S, Bazzano AN, Nigam S, Hu G. Effectiveness of sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors on ischemic heart diseases. Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism 2020; 22: 1197-1206.

Shen Y, Shi L, Nauman E, Katzmarzyk PT, Price-Haywood EG, Yin P, Bazzano AN, Nigam S, Hu G. Association between body mass index and stroke risk among patients with type 2 diabetes. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism 2020; 105: 96-105.

Shen Y, Zhou J, Shi L, Nauman E, Katzmarzyk PT, Price-Haywood EG, Horswell R, Bazzano AN, Nigam S, Hu G. Association between visit-to-visit hemoglobin A1c variability and the risk of cardiovascular disease in patients with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism 2021; 23: 125-135.

Methylomics of prenatal GDM: Natural history & lifestyle intervention in children

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is tightly linked to overweight and obesity and is now diagnosed in as many as 8% of pregnancies in the US. In this project, we will identify novel biomarkers that can reconstruct prenatal GDM exposure and profile future risks of childhood obesity and related cardiometabolic phenotypes. We will also measure the efficacy of a lifestyle intervention at both molecular and phenotype levels. Our results will generate new scientific knowledge that may pave the way for future efforts for the prevention of childhood obesity and cardiovascular diseases. This projected is supported by the NIDDK under Award Number R01DK100790.

Selected Publications

Leng J, Li W, Zhang S, Liu H, Wang L, Liu G, Li N, Redman LM, Baccarelli AA, Hou L, Hu G. GDM women’s pre-pregnancy overweight/obesity and gestational weight gain on offspring overweight status. PLoS One 2015; 10 e0129536.

Zhang S, Liu H, Zhang C, Wang L, Li N, Leng J, Li Y, Liu G, Fan X, Yu Z, Yang X, Baccarelli AA, Hou L, Hu G. Maternal glucose during pregnancy and after delivery in women with gestational diabetes mellitus on overweight status of their children. BioMed Research International 2015: 543038.

Zhang S, Wang L, Leng J, Liu H, Li WQ, Zhang T, Li N, Li W, Tian H, Baccarelli AA, Hou L, Hu G. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in women with gestational diabetes mellitus on overweight Status of their children. Journal of Human Hypertension 2017; 31: 731-736.

Zhang T, Wang P, Liu H, Wang L, Li W, Leng J, Li N, Zhang S, Qi L, Tuomilehto J, Yu Z, Yang X, Hu G. Physical activity, TV watching time, sleeping, and risk of obesity and hyperglycemia in the offspring of mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus. Scientific Reports 2017; 7: 41115.

Wang J, Wang L, Liu H, Zhang S, Leng J, Li W, Zhang T, Li N, Li W, Baccarelli AA, Hou L, Hu G. Maternal gestational diabetes and different indicators of childhood obesity – A large study. Endocrine Connections 2018; 7: 1464-1471.

Lu J, Zhang S, Li W, Leng J, Wang L, Liu H, Li W, Zhang C, Qi L, Tuomilehto J, Chen J, Yang X, Yu Z, Hu G. Maternal gestational diabetes is associated with offspring’s hypertension. American Journal of Hypertension 2019; 32: 335-342.

Gu Y, Lu J, Li W, Liu K, Wang L, Leng J, Li W, Zhang S, Wang S, Tuomilehto J, Yu Z, Yang X, Baccarelli AA, Hou L, Hu G. Joint effects of maternal gestational diabetes and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy on overweight in offspring. Frontiers in Endocrinology 2019; 10: 645.

Liang X, Liu H, Wang L, Chen Y, Zhou T, Heianza Y, Li W, Leng J, Wang J, Gao R, Hu G, Qi L. Maternal MTNR1B genotype, maternal gestational weight gain and childhood obesity. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2020; 111: 360-368.

Liang X, Liu H, Wang L, Song Q, Sun D, Li W, Leng J, Gao R, Hu G, Qi L. Maternal gestational diabetes mellitus modifies the relationship between genetically determined body mass index during pregnancy and childhood obesity. Mayo Clinic Proceedings 2020; 95: 1877-1887.

Lu J, Gu Y, Liu H, Wang L, Li W, Li W, Leng J, Zhang S, Qi L, Yang X, Hu G. Daily branched-chain amino acid intake and risks of obesity and insulin resistance in children: A cross-sectional study. Obesity 2020; 28:1310-1316.

Lu J, Gu Y, Wang L, Li W, Zhang S, Liu H, Leng J, Liu J, Wang S, Baccarelli AA, Hou L, Hu G. Glucose metabolism among obese and non-obese children of mothers with gestational diabetes. BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care 2020; 8: e000822.

Aguayo KL, Li W, Joyce BT, Leng J, Zheng Y, Shiau S, Liu H, Wang L, Gao R, Baccarelli A, Hu G, Hou L. Risks of macrosomia associated with COMT genotypes and genetic-epigenetic interactions among children with and without gestational diabetes exposure. Childhood obesity 2021; 17: 365-370.

Joyce BT, Liu H, Wang L, Wang J, Zheng Y, Nannini D, Drong A, Shiau S, Li W, Leng J, Shen Y, Gao R, Baccarelli A, Hu G, Hou L. Novel epigenetic link between gestational diabetes mellitus and macrosomia. Epigenomics 2021; 13: 1221-1230.

Shiau S, Wang L, Liu H, Zheng Y, Drong A, Joyce BT, Wang J, Li W, Leng J, Shen Y, Gao R, Hu G, Hou L, Baccarelli AA. Prenatal gestational diabetes mellitus exposure and accelerated offspring DNA methylation age in early childhood. Epigenetics Epigenetics 2021; c16: 186-195.

Song Q, Wang L, Liu H, Liang Z, Chen Y, Sun D, Li W, Leng J, Yang X, Cardoso MA, Hu G, Qi L. Maternal GDM status, genetically determined blood glucose, and offspring’s obesity risk: An observational study. Obesity 2021; 29; 204-212.

Yang X, Leng J, Liu H, Wang L, Li W, Li W, Yang X, Liu M, Hu G. Maternal gestational diabetes and childhood hyperlipidemia. Diabetic Medicine 2021; 38: e14606.

Tianjin Gestational Diabetes Prevention Program

Tianjin Gestational Diabetes Prevention Program (TGDPP) is a trial conducted at the Tianjin Women’s and Children’s Health Center, Tianjin, China. It is an ongoing four-year lifestyle intervention program among 1,180 Chinese women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) after delivery and their offspring. The main objective of this trial is to obtain new information of the interaction between lifestyle and genetic factors on the risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in Tianjin women with GDM after at least 1-year delivery. The specific aims are: (i) to implement and evaluate a lifestyle intervention program (including dietary practice and physical activity pattern) to prevent T2D among high-risk women with GDM after delivery; (ii) to test for interactions between lifestyle intervention and variations in established genes for glucose, insulin resistance (IR), lipids, obesity and T2D in relation to metabolic traits for T2D in women with prior GDM; and iii) To assess effects of lifestyle intervention program of GDM mothers on their offspring’s health status, including childhood obesity and abnormal glucose metabolism. This project has been funded by 1) European Foundation for the Study of Diabetes (EFSD)/Chinese Diabetes Society (CDS)/Lilly Programme for Collaborative Research between China and Europe in both 2009 and 2013; and 2) International Diabetes Federation - Bringing Research in Diabetes to Global Environments and Systems (BRIDGES).

Selected Publications

Zhang FX, Dong L, Zhang CP, Li BJ, Wen J, Gao W, Sun SR, Lv FJ, Tian HG, Tuomilehto J, Qi L, Zhang CL, Yu ZJ, Yang XL, Hu G. Increasing prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus in Chinese women from 1999 to 2008. Diabetic Medicine 2011;28:652-657.

Hu G, Tian HG, Zhang F, Liu H, Zhang CP, Zhang Shuang, Liu G, Yu Z, Yang X, Qi L, Zhang Cl, Wang H, Li M, Leng J, Li Y, Wang L, Dong L, Tuomilehto J. Tianjin Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Prevention Program: Study design, methods, and 1-year interim report on the feasibility of lifestyle intervention program. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice 2012; 98: 508-517.

Li W, Zhang S, Liu H, Wang L, Zhang C, Leng J, Yu Z, Yang X, Tian H, Hu G. Different associations of diabetes with β-cell dysfunction and insulin resistance among obese and non-obese Chinese women with prior gestational diabetes mellitus. Diabetes Care 2014; 37: 2533-2539.

Liu H, Zhang C, Zhang S, Wang L, Leng J, Liu D, Fang H, Li W, Yu Z, Yang X, Dong L, Hu G. Joint effects of pre-pregnancy body mass index and weight change from pre-pregnancy to postpartum 1-5 years on postpartum diabetes risk among women with gestational diabetes. Obesity 2014; 22: 1560-1567.

Wang L, Liu H, Zhang S, Leng J, Liu G, Zhang C, Li WQ, Li N, Li W, Li Y, Sun S, Yu Z, Yang X, Hu G. Obesity index and the risk of diabetes among Chinese women with prior gestational diabetes. Diabetic Medicine 2014; 31: 1368-1377.

Li W, Liu H, Qiao Y, Lv F, Zhang S, Wang L, Leng J, Liu H, Qi L, Tuomilehto J, Hu G. Metabolic syndrome of weight change from pre-pregnancy to 1-5 years postpartum among Chinese women with prior gestational diabetes. Diabetic Medicine 2015; 32: 1492-1499.

Wang T, Leng J, Li N, Carvalho A, Huang T, Zheng Y, Li W, Liu H, Wang L, Hu G, Qi L. Genetic risk of polycystic ovary syndrome, postpartum weight reduction, and glycemic changes; a longitudinal study. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism 2015; 100: E1560-1567.

Liu H, Zhang S, Wang L, Leng J, Li W, Li N, Li M, Qiao Y, Tian H, Tuomilehto J, Yang X, Yu Z, Hu G. Fasting and 2-hour plasma glucose, and HbA1c in pregnancy and the postpartum risk of diabetes among Chinese women with gestational diabetes. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice 2016; 112: 30-36.

Yuan X, Liu H, Wang L, Zhang S, Zhang C, Leng J, Dong L, Lv L, Lv F, Tian H, Qi L, Tuomilehto J, Hu G. Pregnancy-induced hypertension and chronic hypertension on the risk of diabetes among gestational diabetes women. Journal of Diabetes and Its Complications 2016; 30: 1269-1274.

Wang T, Liu H, Wang L, Huang T, Li W, Zheng Y, Heianza Y, Sun D, Leng J, Zhang S, Li N, Hu G, Qi L. Zinc-associated variant in SLC30A8 gene interacts with gestational weight gain on postpartum glycemic changes: a longitudinal study in women with prior gestational diabetes. Diabetes 2016; 65: 3786-3793.

de Carvalho A, Shao P, Liu H, Cheng H, Zheng Y, Leng J, Li W, Huang T, Wang L, Zhang S, Hu G, Qi L. The MC4R genotype is associated with postpartum weight reduction and glycemic changes among women with prior gestational diabetes: longitudinal analysis. Scientific Reports 2017; 7: 9654.

Leng J, Wang L, Wang J, Li W, Liu H, Zhang S, Li L, Tian H, Xun P, Yang X, Yu Z, Hu G. Uric acid and diabetes risk among Chinese women with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice 2017; 134: 72-79.

Wang L, Leng J, Liu H, Zhang S, Wang J, Li W, Li W, Li N, Zhang T, Baccarelli AA, Hou L, Yang X, Yu Z, Hu G. Association between hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and the risk of postpartum hypertension: a cohort study in women with gestational diabetes. Journal of Human Hypertension 2017; 31: 725-730.

Yin P, Shao P, Liu H, Li W, Wang L, Wang J, Zhang S, Leng J, Li N, Tian H, Yang X, Yu Z, Hu G. C-peptide levels and the risk of diabetes and pre-diabetes among Chinese women with gestational diabetes. Journal of Diabetes and Its Complications 2017; 31: 1658-1662.

Han L, Duan D, Zhang S, Li W, Wang L, Liu H, Leng J, Li N, Shang X, Hu G, Qi L. Genetic risk score of hemoglobin A1c interact with postpartum weight reduction on glycemic changes: gene-weight interaction analysis. Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism 2018; 20: 2733-2739.

Liu H, Wang L, Zhang S, Leng J, Li N, Li W, Wang J, Tian H, Qi L, Yang X, Yu Z, Tuomilehto J, Hu G. One-year weight losses in the Tianjin Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Prevention Program: A randomized clinical trial. Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism 2018; 20: 1246-1255.

Nisa H, Qi KH, Leng J, Liu H, Zhou T, Li W, Wang L, Zhang S, Hu G, Qi L. The circadian rhythm-related MTNR1B genotype, gestational weight gain, and glycemic changes among women with gestational diabetes. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism 2018; 103:2284-2290.

Shen Y, Wang P, Wang L, Zhang S, Liu H, Li W, Li N, Li W, Leng J, Wang J, Tian H, Zhang C, Tuomilehto J, Yang X, Yu Z, Hu G. Gestational diabetes with diabetes and prediabetes risks: A large observational study. European Journal of Endocrinology 2018; 179: 51-58.

Chen Y, Liu H, Wang L, Zhou T, Liang Z, Li W, Leng J, Shen Y, Hu G, Qi L. Lifestyle intervention modifies the effect of MC4R genotype on changes in insulin resistance among women with prior gestational diabetes. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2019; 110: 750-758.

Fan Y, Li W, Liu H, Wang L, Zhang S, Li W, Liu H, Leng J, Shen Y, Tuomilehto J, Yu Z, Yang X, Liu M, Hu G. Effects of obesity and a history of gestational diabetes on the risk of postpartum diabetes and hyperglycemia in Chinese women. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice 2019; 156: 107828.

Li W, Huang Y, Liu H, Zhang S, Wang L, Li N, Li W, Hu G, Leng J. Significance of SNPs in prediction of postpartum diabetes among pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus: a genome-wide association study. Chinese Journal of Public Health 2019; 35: 697-703. (Chinese)

Li W, Leng J, Liu H, Zhang S, Wang L, Hu G, Mi J. Nomograms for incident risk of postpartum type 2 diabetes in Chinese women with prior gestational diabetes mellitus. Clinical Endocrinology 2019; 90: 417-424.

Shen Y. Leng J. Li W. Zhang S. Liu H, Shao P, Wang P, Wang L, Tian H, Zhang C, Yang X, Yu Z, Hou L, Tuomilehto J, Hu G. Lactation intensity and duration to postpartum diabetes and prediabetes risk in women with gestational diabetes. Diabetes/Metabolism Research and Reviews 2019: e3115.

Shen Y, Li W, Leng J, Zhang S, Liu H, Li W, Wang L, Tian H, Qi L, Yang X, Yu Z, Tuomilehto J, Hu G. High risk of metabolic syndrome after delivery in pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice 2019; 150: 219-226.

Shen Y, Hou L, Liu H, Wang L, Leng J, Li W, Hu G. Racial differences of incident diabetes postpartum in women with a history of gestational diabetes. Journal of Diabetes and Its Complications 2019; 33: 107472.

Fan Y, Wang L, Liu H, Zhang S, Tian H, Shen Y, Tuomilehto J, Yu Z, Yang X, Hu G, Liu M. β-cell function or insulin resistance was associated with the risk of type 2 diabetes among women with or without obesity and a history of gestational diabetes. BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care, accepted.

Liang X, Wang L, Liu H, Chen Y, Zhou T, Heianza Y, Leng J, Li W, Yang X, Shen Y, Gao R, Hu G, Qi Y. Genetic susceptibility, lifestyle intervention and glycemic changes among women with prior gestational diabetes. Clinical Nutrition 2020; 39: 2144-2150.

Yang X, Leng J, Liu H, Wang L, Li W, Li W, Yang X, Liu M, Hu G. Maternal gestational diabetes and childhood hyperlipidemia. Diabetic Medicine 2021; 38: e14606.

Hu G, Liu H, Leng J, Wang L, Li W, Zhang S, Li W, Liu G, Tian H, Yang S, Yu Z, Yang X, Tuomilehto J. Effects of a lifestyle intervention in young women with GDM and subsequent diabetes. Nutrients 2022; 14: 5232.

Tianjin Birth Cohort

Tianjin Birth Cohort is a population-based prospective cohort study from fetal life until children 7 years old. The study is designed to identify early maternal and childhood factors on normal and abnormal growth, development and health during fetal life and childhood. Health care records for both pregnant women and children have been collected and available in electronic form since 2009. The study samples include more than 65,000 mother-child pairs.

Selected Publications

Li N, Liu E, Guo J, Pan L, Li B, Wang P, Liu J, Wang Y, Liu G, Hu G. Maternal prepregnancy body mass index and gestational weight gain on offspring overweight in early infancy. PLoS One 2013; 8: e77809.

Li N, Liu E, Guo J, Pan L, Li B, Wang P, Liu J, Wang Y, Liu G, Baccarelli AA, Hou L, Hu G. Maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index and gestational weight gain on pregnancy outcomes. PLoS One 2013; 8: e82310.

Dong L, Liu E, Guo J, Pan L, Li B, Leng J, Zhang C, Zhang Y, Li N, Hu G. Maternal fasting glucose levels at 4-12 gestational weeks with offspring growth and development in early infancy. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice 2013; 102: 210-217.

Li N, Liu N, Sun S, Guo J, Pan L, Wang P, Liu J, Tan L, Liu G, Hu G. Birth weight and overweight or obesity risk in children under 3 years in China. American Journal of Human Biology 2014; 26: 31-336.

Liu G, Li N, Sun S, MD, Wen J, Lv F, Gao W, Li L, Chen F, Baccarelli AA, Hou L, Hu G. Maternal OGTT glucose levels at 26-30 gestational weeks with offspring growth and development in early infancy. BioMed Research International 2014: 516980.

Liu X, Liu G, Wang P, Huang Y, Liu E, Li D, Ren S, Pan L, Li N, Yang XL, Yu Z, Hu G. Prevalence of congenital heart disease and its related risk indicators among 90,796 Chinese infants aged less than 6 months in Tianjin. International Journal of Epidemiology 2015; 44: 884-893.

Broskey BT, Wang P, Li N, Leng J, Li W, Wang L, Gilmore A, Hu G, Redman LM. Early pregnancy weight gain exerts the strongest effect on birth weight, posing a critical time to prevent childhood obesity. Obesity 2017; 25: 1569-1576.

Goldstein R, Abell S, Misso M, Ranasinha S, Boyle J, Black MH, Li N, Hu G, Corrado F, Rode L, Kim YJ, Haugen M, Song W, Kim MH, Bogaerts A, Devlieger R, Chung J, Teede H. Association of gestational weight gain with maternal and infant outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) 2017; 317: 2207-2225.

Goldstein RF, Abell SK, Ranasinha S, Misso M, Boyle JA, Harrison, C, Li N, Hu G, Kim YJ, Kim MH, Black MH, Corrado F, Hegaard HK, Haugen M, Song WQ, Bogaerts A, Devlieger R, Chung JH, Teede HJ. Gestational weight gain across continents and ethnicity- Systematic review and meta-analysis of maternal and infant outcomes in over one million women. BMC Medicine 2018: 16; 153.

Wang J, Liu E, Wang Y, Qiao Y, Zhang T, Li B, Zhang Z, Li N, Hu G. Association of early pregnancy body mass index and children’s birth weight with risk of being overweight in childhood. American Journal of Human Biology 2018; 30: e23174.

Wang J, Pan L, Liu E, Liu H, Liu J, Wang S, Guo J, Li N, Zhang C, Hu G. Gestational diabetes and offspring’s growth from birth through to 6 years old. International Journal of Obesity 2019; 43: 663-672.

Louisiana State University Hospital-based Longitudinal Study (LSUHLS)

LSUHLS is a hospital-based longitudinal study. Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center (LSUHSC) operates 7 public hospitals and affiliated clinics in different areas in Louisiana, which are managed by the LSU Health Care Services Division. Overall, the LSUHSC facilities admit approximately 500,000 patients annually, and about 1.6 million patients use our system during the last 15 years. The LSU Health Care Services Division Disease Management Evaluation Database (DMED) contains administrative data, anthropometric and blood pressure measurement data, laboratory data, treatment data, clinical diagnosis data, and these clinical variables are available in electronic form since 1997 for both inpatients and outpatients. Most patients in LSUHLS have now been followed for more than 10 years. This project has been supported by Louisiana State University’s Improving Clinical Outcomes Network (LSU ICON) from 2011.

Selected Publications

Li W, Wang Y, Chen L, Horswell R, Xiao K, Besse J, Johnson J, Ryan DH, Hu G. Increasing prevalence of diabetes in Louisiana from 2000 to 2009. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice 2011; 94: 262-268.

Hu G, Horswell R, Wang Y, Li W, Besse J, Xiao K, Chen H, Keller JN, Heymsfield SB, Ryan DH, Katzmarzyk PT. Body mass index and the risk of dementia among Louisiana low income diabetic patients. PLoS One 2012; 7: e44537.

Wang Y, Chen L, Xiao K, Horswell R, Besse J, Johnson J, Ryan DH, Hu G. Increasing prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus in Louisiana, 1997-2009. Journal of Women’s Health 2012; 21: 319-325.

Wang Y, Chen L, Horswell R, Xiao K, Besse J, Johnson J, Ryan DH, Hu G. Racial disparities in the association between gestational diabetes mellitus and risk of type 2 diabetes. Journal of Women’s Health 2012; 21: 628-633.

Wang Y, Katzmarzyk PT, Horswell R, Li W, Xiao K, Besse J, Xie W, Johnson J, Heymsfield S, Ryan DH, Hu G. Racial Disparities in Diabetic Complications in an Underinsured Population. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism 2012; 97: 4446-4453.

Zhang Y, Li W, Wang Y, Chen L, Horswell R, Xiao K, Besse J, Johnson J, Ryan DH, Hu G. Increasing prevalence of hypertension in middle or low income residents within Louisiana State University Health Care Services Disvision Hospital System. European Journal of Internal Medicine 2012; 23: e179-e184.

Zhao W, Katzmarzyk PT, Horswell R, Wang Y, Johnson J, Cefalu WT, Ryan DH, Hu G. Blood pressure and stroke risk among diabetic patients. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism 2013; 98: 3653-3662.

Zhao W, Katzmarzyk PT, Horswell R, Wang Y, Li W, Johnson J, Heymsfield SB, Cefalu WT, Ryan DH, Hu G. Aggressive blood pressure control increases coronary heart disease risk among diabetic patients. Diabetes Care 2013; 36: 3287-3296.

Zhao W, Katzmarzyk PT, Horswell R, Wang Y, Johnson J, Heymsfield SB, Cefalu WT, Ryan DH, Hu G. HbA1c and lower extremity amputation risk in low-income patients with diabetes. Diabetes Care 2013; 36: 3591-3598.

Li N, Katzmarzyk PT, Horswell R, Zhang Y, Li W, Zhao W, Wang Y, Johnson J, Hu G. Body mass index and coronary heart disease risk among diabetic patients. Diabetes Care 2014; 37: 3204-3212.

Wang Y, Katzmarzyk PT, Horswell R, Zhao W, Johnson J, Hu G. Kidney function and the risk of cardiovascular disease in patients with Type 2 diabetes. Kidney International 2014; 85: 1192-1199.

Wang Y, Katzmarzyk PT, Horswell R, Zhao W, Li W, Johnson J, Ryan DH, Hu G. Racial disparities in the control status of cardiovascular risk factors in an underinsured population with type 2 diabetes. Diabetic Medicine 2014; 31: 1230-1236.

Zhao W, Katzmarzyk PT, Horswell R, Wang Y, Johnson J, Hu G. HbA1c and heart failure risk among diabetic patients. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism 2014; 99: E263-E267.

Zhao W, Katzmarzyk PT, Horswell R, Wang Y, Johnson J, Hu G. HbA1c and coronary heart disease risk among diabetic patients. Diabetes Care 2014; 37: 428-435.

Zhao W, Katzmarzyk PT, Horswell R, Wang Y, Johnson J, Hu G. Sex differences in the risk of stroke and HbA1c among diabetic patients. Diabetologia 2014; 57: 918-926.

Zhao W, Katzmarzyk PT, Horswell R, Wang Y, Johnson J, Heymsfield SB, Cefalu WT, Ryan DH, Hu G. Blood Pressure and Heart Failure Risk among Diabetic Patients. International Journal of Cardiology 2014; 176: 125-132.

Zhao W, Guan J, Horswell R, Li W, Wang Y, Wu X, Hu G. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol and cancer risk among patients with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care 2014; 37: 3196-3203.

Zhao W, Katzmarzyk PT, Horswell R, Li W, Wang Y, Johnson J, Heymsfield SB, Cefalu WT, Ryan DH, Hu G. Body mass index and the risk of all-cause mortality among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Circulation 2014; 130: 2143-2151.

Li W, Katzmarzyk PT, Horswell R, Zhang Y, Zhao W, Wang Y, Johnson J, Hu G. Body mass index and stroke risk among patients with type 2 diabetes. Stroke 2015; 46: 164-169.

Li W, Katzmarzyk PT, Horswell R, Zhang Y, Wang Y, Johnson J, Hu G. Body mass index and heart failure among patients with type 2 diabetes. Circulation: Heart Failure 2015; 8: 455-463.

Li W, Katzmarzyk PT, Horswell R, Wang Y, Johnson J, Hu G. HbA1c and all-cause mortality risk among patients with type 2 diabetes. International Journal of Cardiology 2016; 202: 490-496.

Li W, Katzmarzyk PT, Horswell R, Wang Y, Johnson J, Hu G. Blood pressure and all-cause mortality risk among patients with type 2 diabetes. International Journal of Cardiology 2016; 206: 116-121.

Wang Y, Katzmarzyk PT, Horswell R, Zhao W, Johnson J, Hu G. Comparison of heart failure risk stratification performance of the CKD-EPI equation and the MDRD study equation for estimated glomerular filtration rate in patients with type 2 diabetes. Diabetic Medicine 2016; 33: 609-620.

FINRISK (also called FINMONICA) Study

The FINRISK (also called FINMONICA [Finnish part of MONItoring trends and determinants of CArdiovascular disease]) study cohort comprising over 60000 subjects together with many baseline measurements and with multiple outcomes is one of the largest and best characterized prospective datasets in the world. The FINRISK study includes a large sample size, a large number of incident cases of CHD, stroke, heart failure, cancer and PD during follow up (Table 1 below), and comprehensive follow-up data. The FINRISK study also has data from standardized questionnaires on the medical history, health behavior, and standardized measurements of height, weight, blood pressure, waist and hip circumference, serum total, HDL and LDL cholesterol, serum triglycerides, serum gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), and plasma fasting and 2-hour post-challenge glucose. The FIRISK study has now been followed for more than 20 years. At the moment, over 14,000 deaths, over 6000 CHD, over 4000 stroke, over 400 heart failure, over 6000 cancer, and about 300 dementia and 900 Parkinson’ disease incident cases were ascertained during the follow up. This project has been funded by the Finnish Cancer Foundation and the Finnish Heart Association.

Selected Publications (from more than 50 publications)

Hu G, Eriksson JG, Barengo NC, Lakka TA, Valle TT, Nissinen A, Jousilahti P, Tuomilehto J. Occupational, commuting, and leisure-time physical activity in relation to total and cardiovascular mortality among Finnish subjects with type 2 diabetes. Circulation 2004; 110: 666-673.

Hu G, Lindström J, Valle TT, Eriksson JG, Jousilahti P, Silventoinen K, Qiao Q, Tuomilehto J. Physical activity, body mass index, and risk of type 2 diabetes in patients with normal and impaired glucose regulation. Archive of Internal Medicine 2004; 164: 892-896.

Tuomilehto J, Hu G, Bidel S, Lindström J, Jousilahti P. Coffee consumption and risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus among middle-aged Finnish men and women. The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) 2004; 291: 1213-1219.

Hu G, Jousilahti P, Qiao Q, Peltonen M, Katoh S, Tuomilehto J. The gender-specific impact of diabetes and myocardial infarction at baseline and during follow-up on mortality from all causes and coronary heart disease. Journal of the American College of Cardiology 2005; 45: 1413-1418.

Hu G, Tuomilehto J, Silventoinen K, Sarti C, Männistö S, Jousilahti P. Body mass index, waist circumference and waist-hip ratio on the risk of total and type-specific stroke. Archive of Internal Medicine 2007; 167: 1420-1427.

Hu G, Tuomilehto J, Pukkala E, Hakulinen T, Antikainen R, Vartiainen E, Jousilahti P. Joint effects of coffee consumption and serum gamma-glutamyltransferase on the risk of liver cancer. Hepatology 2008; 48: 129-136.

Hu G, Jousilahti, P, Tuomilehto J, Antikainen R, Sundvall J Salomaa V. Association of serum C-reactive protein level with sex-specific type 2 diabetes risk: a prospective Finnish study. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism 2009; 94: 2099-2105.

Hu G, Jousilahti P, Antikainen R, Katzmarzyk PT, Tuomilehto J. Joint effects of physical activity, body mass index, waist circumference and waist-hip ratio with the risk of heart failure. Circulation 2010; 121: 237-244.

Wang Y, Tuomilehto J, Jousilahti P, Antikainen R, Mähönen M, Katzmarzyk PT, Hu G. Occupational, commuting and leisure-time physical activity in relation to heart failure among Finnish men and women. Journal of the American College of Cardiology 2010; 56: 1140-1148.

Zhang Y, Tuomilehto J, Jousilahti P, Wang Y, Antikainen R, Hu G. Lifestyle Factors on the Risks of Ischemic and Hemorrhagic Stroke. Archive of Internal Medicine 2011; 171: 1811-1818.

Tianjin Children Obesity Study

Tianjin Children Obesity Study is a retrospective longitudinal study which was carried out in 71 kindergartens in Tianjin, China. The samples included 15,852 children aged 3–6 years. The survey included a questionnaire and an anthropometric measurement. From them, an age-matched case-control study (619 obese and 617 non-obese children) was further conducted to investigate neonatal and postnatal factors associated with childhood obesity and obesity-related metabolic abnormalities. Fasting glucose and lipids were measured.

Selected Publications

Bowers K, Liu G, Wang P, Ye T, Tian Z, Liu E, Yu Z, Yang X, Klebanoff M, Yeung E, Hu G, Zhang C. Birth weight, postnatal weight change, and risk for high blood pressure among Chinese children aged 3-6 years. Pediatrics 2011; 127: E1272-1279.

Tian Z, Ye T, Zhang XY, Liu EQ, Wang W, Wang P, Liu GS, Yang XL, Hu G, Yu ZJ. Sleep duration and hyperglycaemia among obese and non-obese children aged 3 to 6 years. Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine 2010; 164: 46-52.

Zhang XY, Liu EQ, Tian Z, Wang W, Ye T, Liu GS, Li YM, Wang P, Yang XL, Yu ZJ, Hu G. High birth weight and overweight or obesity among Chinese children 3-6 years old. Preventive Medicine 2009; 49:172-178.

Liu G, Liu J, Li N, Tang Z, Lan F, Pan L, Yang X, Hu G, Yu Z. Association between leg length-to-height ratio and metabolic syndrome in Chinese children aged 3 to 6 years. Preventive Medicine Reports 2014; 1: 62-67.