Type 2 diabetes was once called “adult-onset” diabetes because it was so rarely seen in children. That has changed. A study published in Diabetes Care, including researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), projects that type 2 diabetes among young Americans could rise dramatically over the coming decades if current trends continue.
What the study projected
The researchers built a mathematical model using data on diabetes in people under 20 from 2002 to 2017, then projected forward to 2060.
- Type 2 diabetes could rise by nearly 700%. If the rate of new cases keeps increasing as it has, the number of young people with type 2 diabetes could grow by about 673%.
- Type 1 diabetes could rise by about 65%.
- Up to 526,000 young people could be living with diabetes by 2060.
- Even with no further increase in the rate of new cases, type 2 diabetes in youth was still projected to rise by about 70%.
Who is most at risk
The study found that type 2 diabetes is projected to rise most among Black, Hispanic, Asian, Pacific Islander and American Indian/Alaska Native young people, groups that already have higher rates. CDC leaders described the projections as a “wake-up call” and stressed the need to reduce health disparities.
What’s driving the increase
The researchers pointed to two main factors:
- Rising childhood obesity, which increases insulin resistance.
- More diabetes during pregnancy, since babies exposed to high blood sugar in the womb have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes later.
Other contributors include less physical activity, more screen time, diets high in sugary drinks and processed foods, poor sleep, family history, and limited access to healthy food and safe places to be active.
Why type 2 diabetes in youth is serious
When type 2 diabetes starts in childhood or the teen years, it tends to progress faster than in adults and is often harder to control. Young people with type 2 diabetes face a higher risk of complications such as kidney, eye, nerve and heart problems at younger ages.
Signs to watch for
Type 2 diabetes often develops gradually and may cause no symptoms at first. Signs can include:
- Increased thirst and frequent urination
- Unusual tiredness
- Blurred vision
- Slow-healing sores or frequent infections
- Dark, velvety patches of skin on the neck or in skin folds (acanthosis nigricans)
Talk with your child’s doctor about screening if they have risk factors such as excess weight and a family history of diabetes.
What families can do
- Swap sugary drinks for water or milk. Sugary drinks are one of the biggest sources of added sugar for kids.
- Move together. Aim for at least 60 minutes of activity a day for children, and make it fun: walks, bike rides, dancing or sports.
- Eat more whole foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans, and fewer ultra-processed snacks.
- Protect sleep and set limits on recreational screen time.
- Focus on health, not weight. Make changes as a family rather than singling out one child.
- Support healthy pregnancies, including screening and care for diabetes during pregnancy.
The bottom line
Type 2 diabetes in young Americans could rise by nearly 700% by 2060 if trends continue. Healthy habits at home, earlier screening and better access to care can help change that trajectory.
This article is for general information and isn’t medical advice. Talk with your healthcare provider about your individual needs.
