Diabetes rates are rising among youngsters in the US. As per a new study, it can rise as high as 675 percent by 2060 if current trends go on. Read to know more.
Fear rises with increasing diabetes rates in the US.
A new study conducted by the American Diabetes Association journal Diabetes Care reveals shocking statistics of rising diabetes rates in youngsters. It uses data collected by the SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth Study. The study is funded by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health. Type 1 occurs when the pancreas makes little or no insulin and is more common among the young. However, type 1 occurs when the body does not use insulin properly. The study revealed a substantial rise in type two diabetes among people under the age of 20.
Researchers revealed that if the incidence rates from 2017 do not change over the coming decades, the number of youngsters with this disease will rise by 12 percent i.e, from 213,000 to 239,000. However, if the rise is as similar as it did between 2002 and 2017, about 526,000 may develop it by 2060. Additionally, the study revealed Asian, Black, Pacific Islander, Hispanic, and Native American/Alaska Natives are going to have a higher chance than White people.
More on the study
People with diabetes are at a greater risk for complications such as kidney disease, vision and hearing problems, nerve damage, and heart disease. Additionally, they are at risk for premature death. Since it may progress faster in younger people, it may increase the demand on the health care system. “The marked increase in expected type 2 diabetes rates could have several causes, including rising rates of childhood obesity and the presence of diabetes in people of childbearing age,” stated the CDC.
“This new research should serve as a wake-up call for all of us. It’s vital that we focus our efforts to ensure all Americans, especially our young people, are the healthiest they can be,” stated Dr. Debra Houry. Dr. Houry is the acting principal deputy director of the CDC. “This study’s startling projections of type 2 diabetes increases show why it is crucial to advance health equity and reduce the widespread disparities that already take a toll on people’s health,” explained Christopher Holliday. Holliday is the director of the agency’s Division of Diabetes Translation.