Dietary Pattern Shows Striking Results for Women With Type 2 Diabetes

England is facing a worrying increase in women in their twenties developing type 2 diabetes, driven largely by rising levels of obesity following the COVID-19 pandemic, according to an analysis of NHS data released in July 2026. Researchers at Imperial College London examining figures from the English National Diabetes Audit found that while the disease is decreasing slightly among older adults, it is accelerating rapidly in people under 40, with some of the sharpest upward trends occurring in women aged 20 to 29.

Rising Obesity Rates Fuel Early-Onset Cases

Body mass index measurements taken at the time of diagnosis have increased more quickly among younger adults than in older age groups, pointing directly to obesity as a primary driver. NHS data for England shows that nearly one in three people are now affected by obesity, with the largest increases occurring among younger populations. Between 2019 and 2025, new obesity cases jumped 16 percent in people aged 20 to 29 and nearly 20 percent in those aged 30 to 39, while rates fell among adults aged 60 to 79.

Lead researcher Dr Shivani Misra stated that the earlier onset of severe obesity in young people elevates their type 2 diabetes risk in early life and pulls down their age at diagnosis. Dr Misra noted that this trend is especially concerning given the poor health outcomes typically associated with early-onset type 2 diabetes. While discussions about rising diabetes rates among younger people have traditionally focused on ethnic minority groups, the new analysis indicates that incidence is also increasing in white populations, broadening the public health challenge across generations.

Health Risks and Complications for Younger Patients

Type 2 diabetes is a serious condition that can lead to severe complications such as heart attacks and strokes. According to Diabetes UK, when the disease develops at a younger age, it tends to be more aggressive, raising the risk of devastating complications and cutting lives short. Early diagnosis is vital to prevent long-term organ damage. Common symptoms include feeling very tired, urinating more than usual, and experiencing constant thirst. About 90 percent of the six million people living with diabetes in the UK have type 2 rather than type 1, insulin-dependent diabetes. Currently, about 12,000 people under the age of 30 are living with type 2 diabetes, with women accounting for a larger share of those younger cases according to NHS England estimates.

Potential Treatment and Remission Pathways

Type 2 diabetes can sometimes be put into remission by eating a healthy diet and maintaining a healthy weight without needing to rely on glucose-lowering medications. Researchers suggest that newer obesity treatments, including GLP-1 weight-loss injections and pills, might help patients alongside traditional healthy eating advice. Additionally, Diabetes UK emphasizes that better follow-up care must be offered to mothers-to-be diagnosed with gestational diabetes during pregnancy, as that condition significantly increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes after childbirth.