The rise in pediatric obesity and its accompanying condition, type 2 diabetes (T2D), is a serious public health
concern. T2D in adolescents is associated with poor health outcomes and decreased life expectancy. Effective diabetes prevention strategies for high-risk adolescents and their families are urgently needed.  The aim of this study was to co-design a diabetes prevention program for adolescents by using human-centered design methodologies.
We partnered with at-risk adolescents, parents, and professionals with expertise in diabetes prevention or those
working with adolescents to conduct a series of human-centered design research sessions to co-design a diabetes prevention intervention for youth and their families. In order to do so, we needed to better understand environmental factors that inhibit/promote recommended lifestyle changes to decrease T2D risk,  elucidate desired program characteristics, and  explore improved activation in diabetes prevention programs.
Financial resources, limited access to healthy foods, safe places for physical activity, and competing priorities pose barriers to adopting lifestyle changes.