Childhood Obesity Can Lead To Epidemic Of Type 2 Diabetes Among Youth
University of Michigan scientists have found that the childhood obesity can lead to the epidemic of type 2 diabetes among young adults. Type 2 diabetes in turn can lead to greater number of diabetes complications, and ultimately, lower life expectancy. Young adults with type 2 diabetes are therefore more likely to develop complications such as blindness and kidney failure during their lifetimes, and they have higher rates of diabetes complications and heart disease than older adults with type 2 diabetes. The study also finds that the babies born to young women with type 2 diabetes are at greater risk for obesity and type 2 diabetes itself.
University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital pediatric endocrinologist Joyce Lee, said that the childhood obesity epidemic could lead to large numbers of younger adults developing type 2 diabetes, causing serious and lasting health complications for future generations of Americans. Lee said,
“The full impact of the childhood obesity epidemic has yet to be seen because it can take up to 10 years or longer for obese individuals to develop type 2 diabetes. Children who are obese today are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes as young adults.”
Researchers said that the prevention and treatment of obesity do not include significant investment during childhood within schools, communities, and the health care system. The recent trends in childhood obesity will likely lead to increases in type 2 diabetes among young adults, resulting in even greater costs to society and the health care system.
These studies will help assess the future burden of the disease and disability in the population, and to evaluate whether interventions in childhood can successfully prevent individuals from developing type 2 diabetes over their lifetimes.
However, the researchers said that more research and studies are required to learn more about how trends in childhood obesity will impact future rates and age at onset of type 2 diabetes.
Source: Science Daily
