Children have type 2 diabetes too: an historical perspective

Abstract

Prior to 1985, type 2 diabetes was a disease of adults. Simultaneously with the global epidemic of childhood obesity, type 2 diabetes has increased in children. Initially, the presentation of small case series of type 2 diabetes in children was met with skepticism. As the number and size of the case series grew and the first long-term outcomes of end-stage complications in young adults appeared in the literature, the international community took notice with guarded interest. Type 2 diabetes disproportionately affects the children of specific ethnic groups and from disadvantaged socioeconomic environments, especially Indigenous populations. The past decade has seen unprecedented intense global interest in the etiology, treatment, and prevention of type 2 diabetes in children.

Prediabetes: An emerging public health concern in adolescents

“…Research in general adolescent populations in Canada reports a similar prevalence (30%) of overweight/obesity to that reported here and, more specifically, that rates of overweight are greater among females than males . The present study results are concerning due to the emerging evidence that illustrates an increase in surrogate markers for the risk for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease in obese children and adolescents …”

“…23 The present study results are concerning due to the emerging evidence that illustrates an increase in surrogate markers for the risk for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease in obese children and adolescents. 1,4,6 . Given the grievous complications associated with type 2 diabetes, and the female predominance of type 2 diabetes (2:1), 8 these findings highlight the need for robust prevention programmes designed to prevent overweight/obesity in children and adolescents with strategies specifically targeting female children.…”

“…In the United States, estimated incidence rates have increased to an annual rate of 12.5 per 100 000 in the 10‐ to 19‐year‐old age group . As a result, this current health issue is of great interest to researchers and clinicians around the world …”

“…Previously considered an adult disease and non-existent in the paediatric population in the late 20th century, type 2 diabetes has now become one of the fastest growing paediatric chronic diseases worldwide. [1][2][3] A Canadian national surveillance study found an incidence of type 2 diabetes in children and adolescents of 1.54 per 100 000 per year. 4 In the United States, estimated incidence rates have increased to an annual rate of 12.5 per 100 000 in the 10-to 19-year-old age group.…”

“…5 As a result, this current health issue is of great interest to researchers and clinicians around the world. 1 Recent evidence suggests the development of complications with type 2 diabetes might occur more quickly in adolescents than in adults. Evidence suggests that loss of beta-cell function is accelerated in young type 2 diabetes, leading to premature development of complications, with adverse effects on quality of life and longterm outcomes.…”