Young people being treated for type 2 diabetes rising

New figures show that the number of children and young people in England and Wales being treated for type 2 diabetes has risen from 507 to 715 in four years.

The NHS data also reveals that more than three-quarters of those patients were also obese, with healths experts claiming that the ‘alarming’ rise showcases that the childhood obesity epidemic was ‘starting to bite’.

Type 2 diabetes, which can lead to a range of health problems such as heart disease, strokes and kidney problems, is closely linked to obesity and occurs when the body cannot produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugar levels.

The Local Government Association, which revealed earlier this year that 22,000 children are classed as severely obese by the time they leave primary school, says the figures underline the critical need to urgently tackle the childhood obesity crisis.

Izzi Seccombe, Chairman of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board, said: “These figures are a sad indictment of how we have collectively failed as a society to tackle childhood obesity, one of the biggest health challenges we face. Type 2 diabetes typically develops in adults over the age of 40, so while still rare in children, it is extremely worrying that we are seeing more young people develop the condition.

“The government’s childhood obesity plan sets out bold ambitions to halve the number of obese children by 2030. But we need urgent action now. Type 2 diabetes can be a lifelong debilitating illness and these figures will only multiply if we delay. Councils with their public health responsibilities are on the frontline fighting obesity but for this to work effectively they need to be properly resourced. Cutting their public health funding is short-sighted and undermines any attempt to help our children live healthy and fulfilling lives.”