SWIFT Study
in Youth
The SWIFT Study in Youth (SWIFT-Y) is open to SWIFT mothers and their children. The study’s goal is to help us better understand how factors during early life, including pregnancy and infant feeding from birth and during early childhood and beyond, may affect growth and health of children whose mothers developed gestational diabetes during pregnancy.
Study Overview
The study seeks to learn how eating habits and behaviors during early life may have lasting health benefits for children. The SWIFT children born between 2008 and 2011 when mothers enrolled in the original SWIFT Study are eligible.
Dr. Gunderson and staff invites all mothers and their children from the original SWIFT Study to enroll in the SWIFT Study in Youth (SWIFT-Y). After joining, participation may begin by completing surveys online. The research visit (only one) takes place at a Kaiser Permanente Northern California medical facility nearby and includes a blood test and other assessments.
How to Join for Mothers and Youth
SWIFT youth can join the study with their mother/parent via telephone/video calls with staff guiding you through the youth assent and parent consent process, or by scheduling an in-person visit to enroll/consent. Please contact our staff via e-mail or toll-free phone number for more information. After you enroll, participation may begin by completing surveys online.
Additional Study Information
Please reach out anytime to the SWIFT study research staff for additional information.
Forms to Review
Youth (ages 7-12 years) Assent
Youth (ages 13-17 years) Assent
Instructions
Fasting the night before the visit for Youth
About the Surveys
If your child joins the study, you will complete surveys about her or his sleep, meals, physical activity and medical history. Your child will complete surveys about food and beverages, physical activity, screen time, sleeping habits, feelings and moods.
Contact Study Staff to Get Started
To join the SWIFT Study in Youth please reach out to our study research staff by filling out the form below, or call us toll-free at 1-866-279-8624.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can my child and I complete study activities together?
You and your child can have your visits scheduled on the same day and complete surveys online.
Who is eligible to join?
Mothers and children enrolled in the original SWIFT study are eligible to join. You do not have to be a member of Kaiser Permanente healthcare plan to join the SWIFT Follow Up in Women. You and your child born between 2008 and 2011 when you enrolled in the original SWIFT study are eligible to join the study. Please feel free to contact us, and we can tell you more about how to get started.
How will this study benefit me and my child?
Your child will receive a nutritional analysis of his/her diet, and evaluation of body weight, blood pressure and metabolic profile. You and your child’s participation in the study may help us better understand how early infant feeding can affect longer-term health of children of mothers who had gestational diabetes.
What if I decide to take part, and then change my mind?
We hope that you both will fully participate in all study activities which are routine parts of clinical care. Being in the study is voluntary, and you and your child can stop participating at any time without it affecting your regular medical care at Kaiser or any other health system.
We are no longer members of Kaiser health plan. Can we still participate?
Yes, you and your child do not have to be Kaiser Permanente health plan members to participate.
Is my information confidential?
As required by law, we keep all study participant information confidential. Public laws prohibit us from giving out information that identifies you or your child without your consent. We also keep all survey data safe and secure. To protect your privacy when researchers use survey data, we assign code numbers in place of names or other identifying facts.
Details about COVID Safety Information?
COVID times have made it difficult for us to know for sure when we can begin the research clinic visits. And that is why we are starting with the first phase of the study by having you complete the online surveys and forms. Be assured that your and your child’s safety and well-being are our highest priority. We will be following only the strictest of safety measures in place by Kaiser Permanente before permitting you and our research staff to be at the medical offices for the one-time visit in the morning.
How can I reach the study team?
Our SWIFT toll free number is 1-866-279-8624 or you can contact us.