Diabetes cases soar by 60% in just five years in under 25s know the signs… – The Sun

CASES of diabetes are on the rise in young people, driven by the obesity crisis.

Being aware of the signs could prevent serious complications from the disease if a child or young person gets an early diagnosis.

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Diabetes is a serious condition which needs lifelong management.

Unfortunately, type 2 diabetes - which accounts for 90 per cent of all cases - is accelerating as a result of factors including obesity.

More often than not, the condition is triggered by poor lifestyle habits like eating too much unhealthy food or not exercising.

The effects are now being seen in children, some younger than 12 years old, who previously were more likely to get type 1 diabetes, which is genetic.

New figures show a 60 per cent increase in under 25s with type 2 diabetes being treated at paediatric diabetes units in England and Wales over five years.

There were 866 under-25s who got treatment in 2019/20 compared with the 322 in 2014/15, according to the stats published by Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.

Just over 84 per cent of the patients were registered as obese, broadly in line with previous years.

Nikki Joule, policy manager at Diabetes UK, said: Type 2 diabetes is no longer just a condition found in older people; it can affect any age.

We also know that type 2 diabetes is likely to have more severe and acute consequences, if they develop it as children especially if they do not have access to the right specialist treatment and support.

Childhood obesity is the main driver behind the rise in cases."

It comes after a new report revealed almost 1,600 children under 19 in England have type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes UK warned that the NHS Digital data on August 12 confirms a recent growing trend of serious health conditions related to obesity that are becoming more prevalent in a younger demographic than ever before.

It highlighted nearly a third of children aged two to 15 years old were overweight or obese.

Chief executive Chris Askew said the figures were a worrying wake-up call.

NHS Digital data shows that people who get diabetes under 40 years old are more likely to:

Symptoms of diabetes can go completely missed because people think they are caused by something else.

Or their symptoms dont necessarily make them feel unwell, so they are not even acknowledged.

The most common early signs of type 2 diabetes are frequent urination, extreme thirst, and persistent hunger.

You should visit your GP if you are:

There are other symptoms that may alert you to this disease.

These include:

In children

Dan Howarth, Head of Care at Diabetes UK, said: The symptoms of diabetes needing the toilet more often than usual, feeling more tired or thirsty than normal, and unexplained weight loss are the same for people of all ages, and with all types of diabetes.

"Symptoms of type 1 diabetes develop very quickly, whereas type 2 diabetes symptoms come on more slowly.

"In children and young people with type 2 diabetes, symptoms may be less noticeable, with cases often going undetected."

But more specific problems to look out for are:

If your child is very overweight, the NHS says there are things you can to help them get to a healthy weight.

This includes upping exercise, keeping portions to child-sized, and eating healthier foods.

Exercise doesnt need to be any more than playing it, riding a bike, swimming or using a playground, so long as they are happy and moving.

All children need about 60 minutes of physical activity a day for good health, but it doesn't need to be all at once, the NHS says.

Food wise, children should avoid eating too much of the same things that cause weight gain in adults - sweets, chocolate, crisps and cakes.

Its important that as a parent, you also act as a good role model and try and get the whole family involved, so it doesnt feel like your child is targeted.

It can be a scary time if your child is diagnosed with diabetes, but doctors will be there to support you.

Your child will get a treatment plan that you as a parent will be involved with administering - including insulin injections.

You will also have to keep a close eye on your child's glucose levels to make sure they dont become dangerously low or high.

On top of this, children with diabetes will need to eat a healthy diet and exercise is considered incredibly important, Diabetes UK says.

Dan, Head of Care, said: Some people with type 2 diabetes can put their diabetes into remission through a combination of weight loss and lifestyle changes.

"While research into remission and young people with type 2 is ongoing, we know that by making lifestyle changes such as keeping physically active and eating healthily, families and young people with type 2 diabetes can increase their chances of remission, reduce their risk of diabetes-related complications risk and improve their overall health.

For more information about diabetes, visit diabetes.org.uk

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Diabetes cases soar by 60% in just five years in under 25s know the signs... - The Sun