Study finds alarming increase in type 2 diabetes among youth

A new B.C. study on type 2 diabetes shows that the disease is dramatically increasing among people under the age of 30, to the point that the majority of young people with diabetes now have Type 2. And increases are starting to be seen as early as 20 years of age.

This is alarming considering that type 2 diabetes can often be controlled or prevented with proper nutrition and exercise. The study didn't look at exactly why more young people are getting type 2 diabetes, but an increase in obesity, poor eating habits and simply not getting enough exercise are certainly factors. “Over the last few decades, lifestyles have changed dramatically. Many now live in urbanized environments where people are generally less active and eat more high-calorie foods," said report co-author Dr. Calvin Ke, in an interview with CBC Radio. "These changes have led to an astounding increase of young people with diabetes. We need to act urgently to prevent diabetes in young people.”

The Providence Health Care study also found that a higher incidence of type 2 diabetes is found in youth of South Asian and Chinese descent. South Asians are three to five times more likely to develop type 2 than the general population, according to the study. While the current Clinical Practice Guidelines indicate that screening for type 2 diabetes should start at age 40 in the general population, Dr Nadia Khan, one of the study’s authors, suggests screening for type 2 diabetes in high-risk South Asians may need to start at a younger age.

Doctors of BC actively promotes healthy lifestyles and physical activities for youth through our Be Active Every Day program and through our annual Walk With Your Doc coming up in May.

View the Providence Health Care study: Type 2 diabetes overtakes type 1 diabetes in young people 

View the BC Medical journal article: More type 2 diabetes in young people than type 1
 
View CBC report: Type 2 diabetes increasing in under-30 age category, B.C. study shows