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Rising incidence of type 2 diabetes in children in the U.K
Linda Haines1, Kay Chong Wan, Richard Lynn
1Research Division, Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, London, UK.
Insights
Type 2 diabetes is increasing in UK children, particularly among ethnic minorities. Obesity and family history are key risk factors, highlighting the need for early intervention and prevention strategies.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Endocrinology
- Public Health
Background:
- Childhood obesity rates are rising globally.
- Type 2 diabetes, historically rare in children, is becoming more prevalent.
- Understanding the incidence and risk factors for pediatric type 2 diabetes is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of type 2 diabetes in children under 17 in the UK and Republic of Ireland.
- To examine the association between childhood obesity and type 2 diabetes.
- To identify demographic and familial risk factors.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the British Pediatric Surveillance Unit for active case reporting by pediatricians and diabetes nurses.
- Included all children under 17 diagnosed with non-type 1 diabetes between October 2004 and October 2005.
- Collected data on diagnosis, ethnicity, weight status, and family history.
Main Results:
- Reported 168 cases of non-type 1 diabetes, with a national incidence of 1.3 per 100,000 child-years.
- 40% of cases were type 2 diabetes, yielding a minimum incidence of 0.53 per 100,000 child-years.
- Ethnic minorities showed significantly higher incidence rates; 95% of type 2 diabetes cases were overweight or obese, and 84% had a family history.
Conclusions:
- Type 2 diabetes incidence is increasing in UK children, though less common than type 1.
- Ethnic minority children face a disproportionately higher risk.
- Increased adiposity and a family history of type 2 diabetes are strongly linked to diagnosis in this population.
Objective:
To estimate the incidence of type 2 diabetes in children <17 years of age and to investigate the relationship of diabetes with increasing childhood obesity in the U.K. and the Republic of Ireland (ROI).
Research Design And Methods:
Active monthly reporting of cases by consultant pediatricians occurred through the framework of the British Pediatric Surveillance Unit, with additional reports from specialist diabetes nurses. All children <17 years of age and diagnosed by their clinician as having non-type 1 diabetes from 1 October 2004 to 31 October 2005 were included.
Results:
A total of 168 confirmed cases of non-type 1 diabetes were reported, resulting in a national incidence (excluding the ROI) of 1.3 x 100,000(-1) x year(-1). Of these, 40% were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes giving a minimum incidence of 0.53 x 100,000(-1) x year(-1). Children of ethnic minorities were greatly overrepresented, with those of black and South-Asian origin (England data only) having an incidence of 3.9 and 1.25 x 100,000(-1) x year(-1), respectively, compared with 0.35 x 100,000(-1) x year(-1) in those defined as white. Of those diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, 95% were overweight and 83% obese according to International Obesity Task Force guidelines. Eighty-four percent had a family history of type 2 diabetes.
Conclusions:
Type 2 diabetes is still less common than type 1 diabetes in U.K. children. However, compared with previous prevalence data, the frequency of type 2 diabetes appears to be increasing. Incidence among ethnic minorities is far higher than in whites, as previously described in the U.S. Increased adiposity and family history of type 2 diabetes were strongly associated with the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes in U.K. children.
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