Why More Kids Are Getting Type 2 Diabetes

Before the obesity pandemic in the United States, type 2 diabetes was almost unheard of among persons under the age of 30. That explains the disease's previous name: adult-onset diabetes. Not long ago, practically all children with diabetes had type 1 diabetes, which meant their bodies couldn't make enough insulin. Type 2 diabetes, in which the pancreas produces normal insulin levels but cells grow resistant to it, often takes decades to develop.

But type 2 diabetes is no longer limited to adults. The number of children and adolescents with the disorder (the majority of whom are diagnosed in their early adolescence) has risen dramatically in the previous 20 years and continues to rise, prompting authorities to label it an epidemic.


What research says:

According to SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth, a multicenter research supported by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health, an estimated 18,436 persons younger than 20 were newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in the United States each year between 2008 and 2009. Each year, 5,089 persons under the age of 20 are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. 

Obesity, in-utero diabetes exposure, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals in common home goods were identified as potential explanations of the surge in type 2 diabetes in the study.

Minority communities are disproportionately affected by type 2 diabetes. According to the CDC, American Indians had the greatest prevalence of type 2 diabetes among persons aged 10 to 19, followed by African Americans, Hispanics, and Asian or Pacific Islanders. Non-Hispanic whites have the lowest rate.


Which children are at risk for type 2 diabetes?


Obesity

More over 80% of all children and adolescents with type 2 diabetes are overweight, and roughly 40% are clinically obese. In fact, researchers believe that the current pandemic is being sparked by a rise in youth obesity.

Although there has long been a statistical correlation between obesity and type 2 diabetes, it is still unclear why millions of overweight people end up with the disease. Scientists have discovered that some types of fat cells are metabolically active and emit chemicals that enhance inflammation in the body and lead to an increase in liver fat, which is a risk factor for insulin resistance, a precursor to type 2 diabetes.

Suggested post: Childhood obesity and the rising rates of type 2 diabetes.


What are the complications kids with type 2 diabetes are most likely to face?

According to Dr. Angela Lennon, a pediatric endocrinologist at the University of Kansas Hospital, obese children between the ages of 12 and 14 often have high blood pressure, kidney, cardiac, and heart issues.

According to healthline, Lennon also stated that many complications appear 10 years after the onset of diabetes. The more vulnerable you are to problems from diabetes, the sooner you have it. Kidney disease is the most common complication and the main cause of dialysis in adults. Blindness is most commonly caused by diabetes. Some people who have diabetes must have arms or legs amputated since they often have poor circulation and slow wound healing. Another issue is heart disease. 


What is the solution to the rising tide of Diabetes in Kids?

Avoiding obesity is essential for protecting against type 2 diabetes in both children and adults. Give your kid a healthy, balanced diet that includes whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, as well as enough of fiber. Also, steer clear of sugary sodas and junk food, and promote regular activity for your child. Parents may be able to stop this epidemic and put their kids on the path to a long, healthy life by promoting exercise and nutritious eating in children from a young age.


At the time of diagnosis, type 2 is often less severe or life-threatening than type 1, but it does raise the possibility that children may experience catastrophic long-term problems, such as blindness, kidney failure, and heart disease.

However, your kid may probably keep their blood sugar under control and prevent major consequences with the right medical care and a self-care regimen that includes exercise, glucose monitoring, and diet.