Rising Prediabetes Rates in children Spark Concern and New Research
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently reported a concerning trend: a important rise in prediabetes among children and adolescents. This increase, observed between 2002 and 2020, is prompting researchers to investigate the underlying causes and develop effective prevention strategies. While the numbers are alarming,experts emphasize the importance of understanding the nuances of prediabetes in young people and avoiding unnecessary alarm for families.
Understanding Prediabetes in Children: Who is at Risk?
Prediabetes, a condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes, is increasingly being detected in children.The CDC report revealed a jump from 14.2% to 18.4% in prediabetes prevalence among those aged 12-19, and a rise from 4.9% to 5.7% in those aged 5-11. But what’s driving this trend, and who is most vulnerable?
Experts are still working to fully understand why more children are developing prediabetes. A key factor appears to be the growing rates of childhood obesity. However, its not simply a matter of weight.
“We’re seeing more and more kids with prediabetes, and the question is, who will go on to develop type 2 diabetes, and who won’t?” explained Dr.Elizabeth Crimmins, a researcher in the field.
Puberty itself plays a role. Hormonal changes during adolescence, including growth hormone, can lead to increased insulin resistance, making it harder for the body to effectively use insulin.This is a normal physiological process,but it can exacerbate underlying issues.
Beyond puberty and weight, certain factors increase a child’s risk:
Family History: Children with a family history of type 2 diabetes are at higher risk.
Gestational Diabetes: If a mother had gestational diabetes during pregnancy,her child is more likely to develop prediabetes.
Race and Ethnicity: Social determinants of health,including limited access to healthy food and physical activity,disproportionately affect nonwhite children,leading to higher screening rates and diagnoses. BMI: The American Diabetes Association recommends screening children age 10 and older with a Body Mass Index (BMI) at or above the 85th percentile for their age, plus one additional risk factor.
Type 1 vs. Type 2 Diabetes: Why Accurate Diagnosis Matters
It’s crucial to differentiate between type 1 and type 2 diabetes, as the conditions have different causes and require different treatments. The CDC report doesn’t currently distinguish between precursors for these different types, highlighting a critical gap in current data.
Type 2 Diabetes: in the more common type 2 diabetes, the pancreas either doesn’t produce enough insulin, or the body’s cells become resistant to the insulin that is produced.
Type 1 Diabetes: An autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This affects about 10% of people with diabetes.
Accurate diagnosis is particularly critically important in type 1 diabetes, where a lack of insulin can quickly become life-threatening. Recognizing symptoms of low insulin levels is vital for prompt treatment.
Physical examinations can also offer clues. Signs like darkening and thickening of the skin, skin folds (acanthosis nigricans), or skin tags may indicate the body is overproducing insulin in response to insulin resistance.
A New Era of Research: The FINDING Trial
The rise in childhood prediabetes and type 2 diabetes is a relatively recent phenomenon, emerging over the last 20-30 years. Recognizing the urgent need for more research, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has launched the DISCOVERY trial.
This landmark study aims to identify which children with prediabetes will ultimately develop type 2 diabetes, paving the way for targeted prevention strategies.
“This data, along with others, just really cements that there needs to be scientific funding of more research to really understand how to best treat kids,” said Dr.Bensignor.”We just need more research to really understand how to prevent and then also how to effectively treat kids that do develop type 2 diabetes.”
