Written by: Chaya Manjeshwar
Edited by: Kaitlin Lemke
Edited by: Kaitlin Lemke
Diabetes cases are rising at unprecedented levels in the United States, especially among youth. Type 1 diabetes is the most common in youth, and is characterized by the pancreas not being able to produce any or enough insulin. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body develops insulin resistance and cannot use the insulin that the pancreas produces properly; this form of diabetes typically develops over time.
A recent study published in the American Diabetes Association’s (ADA) journal, Diabetes Care, showed that when combining the current rates of population growth and rising cases of diabetes, over half a million youth will be diagnosed with diabetes by 2060. This increase is especially stark in type 2 diabetes. According to the CDC (2022), cases are projected to increase to 220,000 youth having type 2 diabetes, which is almost a 700% increase from case numbers today.
This rise in type 2 diabetes is alarming, but not entirely surprising. There are many explanations for this projection, including the increase in childhood obesity, which is known to be linked to increased risks of type 2 diabetes. The increasing prevalence of maternal diabetes can also be a factor, as it can increase the child’s risk of developing diabetes. Additionally, having more relatives that also have type 2 diabetes increases a child’s risk of developing the disease because the child may imitate the habits of their affected relatives. According to the CDC (2022), about 75% of children who have type 2 diabetes have a relative who is also affected. Secondhand smoke is another factor, as a study conducted in France revealed that women who had at least one parent that smoked had a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes (Lajous et al., 2013).
Diabetes is a pre-existing condition which can make other diseases and infections riskier. A notable example is COVID-19; due to its ability to stimulate inflammatory factors, insulin resistance is increased and blood sugar is raised. Higher blood sugar causes white blood cells to be less effective at fighting invaders, which prolongs and worsens the infection. People with diabetes are also at a higher risk for heart disease, kidney disease, high cholesterol, nerve damage, eye problems, stroke, and gum disease. Some people with diabetes develop sores and issues in their feet, which, if untreated, can require amputation to stop the spread of infection. All of these health risks become more common the longer the patient has type 2 diabetes, as there is more time for such complications to arise.
Within the projected increase, diabetes cases will disproportionately increase in Black, Hispanic, Asian, and Indigenous youth, widening health disparities. Type 2 diabetes in particular is seen as preventable, though, and changing eating and exercise habits can help to lower risk. For many underserved and minority youth, the lack of access to healthy, minimally-processed food, and safe outdoor play space are just some of the factors that contribute to a lifestyle that can increase their risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Healthcare is also relatively inaccessible due to many systemic factors. Many patients of color are unable to get commercial coverage, and find it more difficult to get public insurance approval. Without the ability to get regular checkups and medication, these youth are at higher risk of developing diabetes and suffering from devastating complications.
While there are many researchers studying ways to prevent Type 1 diabetes and lower the risk factors for Type 2 diabetes, further action must be taken to help children who are currently at risk of developing it.
References
(2022, December 29). Future Surge in Diabetes Could Dramatically Impact People Under 20 in U.S. Retrieved March 13, 2023, from
https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2022/p1229-future-diabetes-surge.html.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, December 30). Type 2 Diabetes. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved March 13, 2023, from https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/type2.html
Diabetes UK. (n.d.). Complications of diabetes. Diabetes UK. Retrieved March 13, 2023, from https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/complications
Lajous, M., Tondeur, L., Fagherazzi, G., de Lauzon-Guillain, B., Boutron-Ruaualt, M.-C., & Clavel-Chapelon, F. (2013). Childhood and adult secondhand smoke and type 2 diabetes in women. Diabetes Care, 36(9), 2720–2725. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc12-2173
San Diego Health Magazine. (2022, November 14). How bad is covid if you have diabetes? Scripps Health. Retrieved March 13, 2023, from https://www.scripps.org/news_items/6977-how-does-covid-19-affect-people-with-diabetes\
Tönnies, T., Brinks, R., Isom, S., Dabelea, D., Divers, J., Mayer-Davis, E. J., Lawrence, J. M., Pihoker, C., Dolan, L., Liese, A. D., Saydah, S. H., D’Agostino, R. B., Hoyer, A., & Imperatore, G. (2022). Projections of type 1 and type 2 diabetes burden in the U.S. population aged <20 years through 2060: The search for diabetes in Youth Study. Diabetes Care, 46(2), 313–320. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc22-0945
A recent study published in the American Diabetes Association’s (ADA) journal, Diabetes Care, showed that when combining the current rates of population growth and rising cases of diabetes, over half a million youth will be diagnosed with diabetes by 2060. This increase is especially stark in type 2 diabetes. According to the CDC (2022), cases are projected to increase to 220,000 youth having type 2 diabetes, which is almost a 700% increase from case numbers today.
This rise in type 2 diabetes is alarming, but not entirely surprising. There are many explanations for this projection, including the increase in childhood obesity, which is known to be linked to increased risks of type 2 diabetes. The increasing prevalence of maternal diabetes can also be a factor, as it can increase the child’s risk of developing diabetes. Additionally, having more relatives that also have type 2 diabetes increases a child’s risk of developing the disease because the child may imitate the habits of their affected relatives. According to the CDC (2022), about 75% of children who have type 2 diabetes have a relative who is also affected. Secondhand smoke is another factor, as a study conducted in France revealed that women who had at least one parent that smoked had a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes (Lajous et al., 2013).
Diabetes is a pre-existing condition which can make other diseases and infections riskier. A notable example is COVID-19; due to its ability to stimulate inflammatory factors, insulin resistance is increased and blood sugar is raised. Higher blood sugar causes white blood cells to be less effective at fighting invaders, which prolongs and worsens the infection. People with diabetes are also at a higher risk for heart disease, kidney disease, high cholesterol, nerve damage, eye problems, stroke, and gum disease. Some people with diabetes develop sores and issues in their feet, which, if untreated, can require amputation to stop the spread of infection. All of these health risks become more common the longer the patient has type 2 diabetes, as there is more time for such complications to arise.
Within the projected increase, diabetes cases will disproportionately increase in Black, Hispanic, Asian, and Indigenous youth, widening health disparities. Type 2 diabetes in particular is seen as preventable, though, and changing eating and exercise habits can help to lower risk. For many underserved and minority youth, the lack of access to healthy, minimally-processed food, and safe outdoor play space are just some of the factors that contribute to a lifestyle that can increase their risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Healthcare is also relatively inaccessible due to many systemic factors. Many patients of color are unable to get commercial coverage, and find it more difficult to get public insurance approval. Without the ability to get regular checkups and medication, these youth are at higher risk of developing diabetes and suffering from devastating complications.
While there are many researchers studying ways to prevent Type 1 diabetes and lower the risk factors for Type 2 diabetes, further action must be taken to help children who are currently at risk of developing it.
References
(2022, December 29). Future Surge in Diabetes Could Dramatically Impact People Under 20 in U.S. Retrieved March 13, 2023, from
https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2022/p1229-future-diabetes-surge.html.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, December 30). Type 2 Diabetes. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved March 13, 2023, from https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/type2.html
Diabetes UK. (n.d.). Complications of diabetes. Diabetes UK. Retrieved March 13, 2023, from https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/complications
Lajous, M., Tondeur, L., Fagherazzi, G., de Lauzon-Guillain, B., Boutron-Ruaualt, M.-C., & Clavel-Chapelon, F. (2013). Childhood and adult secondhand smoke and type 2 diabetes in women. Diabetes Care, 36(9), 2720–2725. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc12-2173
San Diego Health Magazine. (2022, November 14). How bad is covid if you have diabetes? Scripps Health. Retrieved March 13, 2023, from https://www.scripps.org/news_items/6977-how-does-covid-19-affect-people-with-diabetes\
Tönnies, T., Brinks, R., Isom, S., Dabelea, D., Divers, J., Mayer-Davis, E. J., Lawrence, J. M., Pihoker, C., Dolan, L., Liese, A. D., Saydah, S. H., D’Agostino, R. B., Hoyer, A., & Imperatore, G. (2022). Projections of type 1 and type 2 diabetes burden in the U.S. population aged <20 years through 2060: The search for diabetes in Youth Study. Diabetes Care, 46(2), 313–320. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc22-0945