Dr. Ruth McGillis Bindler

Research focuses on cardiovascular and type 2 diabetes risk factors in children. Several studies completed include:

- A study of 8-11 year old children with cardiovascular risk factors. Education for the children and their parents was related to a significant lowering of total cholesterol and LDL-C levels. The risk factors of interest were diet (specifically eating a low fat diet), exercise or physical activity, type A behavior traits, and family support for life style change. Lipid levels in children, as well as a variety of measurements such as height, weight, blood pressure, skinfolds, and exercise test were evaluated. The role of education for the whole family is key to life changes.

- A study of elementary and middle school children in central Washington state to identify their cardiovascular and type 2 diabetes risks. Findings for Hispanic, American Indian, and Caucasian children were compared. Areas tested included physical measurements (height, weight, BMI, blood pressure), reports of the children and families (family history of cardiovascular disease, smoking, dietary intake), blood levels (lipids/lipoproteins, insulin, glucose, antioxidants, homocysteine).

- Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular risks in children served by a nurse-practitioner run clinic

- Comparison of point-of-care technology with established fasting serum levels to identify health risks in children

Academic Experience:
Teaching, research and community awards
Reviewer for several professional journals
Author of 'Pediatric Nursing: Caring for Children' and 'Pediatric Drug Guide' and 'Maternal Newborn and Child Nursing' and 'Child Health Nursing'

Business Experience:
Have served as expert witness in several malpractice cases involving nursing care

Metabolic syndrome in children; interventions to lower obesity, cardiovascular and type 2 diabetes risk in children and their families

Use of point-of-care technology for serum analysis of glucose and lipids in at-risk children