Why is type 2 diabetes becoming a disease of the young?

For the first time in history, more children worldwide are obese than malnourished. More than 188 million children and adolescents are living with overweight or obesity - and with this comes an alarming trend that until recently was thought impossible: children developing type 2 diabetes.

Behind these numbers are real families - kids who are tired of climbing stairs, parents who substitute sports for screen time, and households confused by conflicting advice about what „healthy eating“ means.

25 years ago it was often said in academic and medical circles that „type 2 diabetes does not occur in children“. Today we see it more and more often - even in 6-year-olds.

A worrying trend

Most often, the diagnosis is made between 10 and 13 years. Puberty naturally increases insulin resistance because of the growth hormone, but when this is combined with a high-calorie diet, low physical activity, genetic predisposition or being overweight, the balance is quickly upset.

Particularly alarming is how quickly the disease progresses in children. „When insulin resistance starts in the teens, it progresses to type 2 diabetes significantly faster than it does in adults,“ stresses obesity expert Derya Hussain, a nutritionist.

The earlier type 2 diabetes develops, the higher the risk of early and severe complications - retinopathy, kidney failure, amputations and cardiovascular events - which can occur decades earlier than expected.

What's behind the rise in diabetes in the young?

The modern environment creates the perfect storm of biological, behavioural and environmental factors:

Food environment

•  Ultra-processed foods account for 60-70% of the daily caloric intake of children in industrialized countries.
• Many children get half of their calories from products advertised as „kid-friendly“ - sugary cereals, yogurts, biscuits, bars and ready meals.
• Research shows that high intake of ultra-processed foods increases the risk of insulin resistance by 40-50%, even with the same calorie intake.

Physical inactivity and sedentary lifestyle

• Children spend on average more than 8 hours a day in front of screens, and exercise and sport are increasingly limited.
• According to The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health (2023), fewer than 20% of adolescents globally achieve the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity daily.

Chronic stress and sleep disorders

• Constant stress - from academic pressure, social networks or family difficulties - raises cortisol, which impairs glycaemic control.
• The disrupted circadian rhythm from late bedtimes and screens before sleep further enhances insulin resistance.
• Studies from 2022-2024 have shown that sleep reduction of less than 7 hours leads to increased HbA1c and triglycerides in children.

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals

• Exposure to phthalates, BPA, pesticides and heavy metals from plastics and packaging affects insulin receptors and mitochondrial function.
• This is associated with an increased risk of metabolic syndrome and childhood obesity.

 In the words of the experts

„Science and technology have made it possible for food to be tastier, more accessible and cheaper - but also much more calorific and nutrient-poor,“ says RD Derya Hussain.

„Children of two generations ago spent their days outside, while today's children sit in front of screens. How do you burn the calories you take in?“

Conclusion

Type 2 diabetes is no longer just a disease of adults. It is becoming the next generation's health crisis - a result of the way we eat, move and live. Preventing it requires a comprehensive approach - from early nutrition education, to more exercise in schools, to limiting the marketing of ultra-processed products to children.