Prediabetes Now Common Among Teens and Young Adults
A new study, published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics, found 1 in 5 adolescents are now prediabetic. Read on to learn more about the study and why rates for Type 2 diabetes is rising among American youth.
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According to a new study recently published in JAMA Pediatrics, nearly a quarter of U.S. young adults and 1 in 5 adolescents are now prediabetic. Until recently, young children and teens were rarely diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (adult-onset diabetes). Today, about one-third of American kids are overweight, a risk factor closely linked to adult-onset diabetes.
What is Prediabetes?
Prediabetes is when blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but are not yet high enough for a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. The American Diabetes Association provides these guidelines for identifying prediabetes:
A1C of 5.7% to 6.4%
Fasting blood sugar of 100-125mg/dl
An OGTT 2 hour blood sugar of 140-199mg/dl
Most people do not know they are prediabetic, which further increases their risk for developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke.
Key Study Findings
Nearly 5,800 participants in a national health survey were studied from 2005 to 2016. The study used several tests to determine prediabetes, including fasting glucose, glucose tolerance or hemoglobin A1c. Key study findings include:
18% of adolescents aged 12-18 were prediabetic
24% of young adults aged 19-24 were prediabetic
Prediabetes was higher in males and participants with obesity
Hispanic young adults had higher rates of prediabetes than white young adults
Prediabetic teens and young adults had significantly higher:
Cholesterol levels
Systolic blood pressure
Abdominal fat and lower insulin sensitivity
** Above increases risk of other cardiovascular diseases
Risk Factors
It is not fully understood why some children develop type 2 diabetes and others don't, even when risk factors are present in both. However, research clearly identifies factors increasing the risk. These include:
Weight- Being overweight is the primary risk factor
Inactivity
Family history
Race (being African-American, Hispanic, Native American, Asian-American and Pacific Islanders
Low birth weight
Mother had gestational diabetes
Age is also a risk factor with most youth being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in their early teens. This is because hormones associated with puberty interfere with the body's use of insulin.
More Complications with Type 2 Versus Type 1 Diabetes
Youth with type 2 diabetes are more likely to develop complications than youth with type 1, according to the SEARCH for Diabetes Youth study. Researchers found type 2 diabetics are more likely to develop kidney, nerve and eye diseases with the following statistics:
Nearly 20% developed signs of kidney disease vs 6% of type 1.
Approximately 18% developed nerve disease vs 9% with type 1
Approximately 9% developed eye disease vs 6% with type 1
Hypertension and arterial stiffness greater in type 1
What Can Be Done?
The study findings support the need for public health initiatives that promote healthy lifestyle changes to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. Research shows that adults with prediabetes can reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 58% with healthy lifestyle changes. Parents can help reduce the risk for children and teens by encouraging healthy eating habits and support increasing physical activity. The CDC's Healthy Weight website offers parents on ideas for helping children maintain a healthy weight and stay active. For more information, visit CDC Tips for Parents - Ideas to Help Children Maintain a Healthy Weight.
The CDC also offers the National Diabetes Prevention Program to provide education to help prevent or delay type 2 diabetes for those aged 18 and older. The program features trained lifestyle coaches who encourage healthy lifestyle changes that include improved nutrition, physical activity and coping mechanisms to reduce stress. For more information, visit CDC National Diabetes Prevention Program.
The Role of Local Organizations
State and local organizations can help address the rising rates of prediabetes in their communities by:
Supporting mothers who choose to breastfeed
Working with early education centers and schools to improve the nutrition value of food served and provide opportunities for kids to be physically active.
Making healthy food easier to access and afford.
Keeping communities safe so youth can bike, walk and play
How have you seen obesity impact the health of children and teens in your area of practice? Did the results of this study surprise you?
